Soil Screening Levels in Seattle

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to compare the reliability and validity of screening levels that are used to regulate contaminant levels in soils in the Seattle metropolitan area. This study specifically focuses on contaminants that have known endocrine disrupting and carcinogenic effects in soils in community urban farms/gardens in the Seattle metropolitan area. Endocrine disrupting means disrupting the endocrine system responsible for hormones regulating many vital bodily functions, such as moving and breathing (Hormone Health Network) while carcinogenic refers to cancer causing. The American Cancer Society has a list of Known and Probable Human Carcinogens on their website including arsenic, lead, glyphosate and toluene, benzene and cadmium, which are hydrocarbons that are found in gasoline, motor oils and diesel fuel (Myers et al.) (The American Cancer Society, 2019) (Illinois Department of Public Health) (Chilcott, 2006). As they are known widely to have carcinogenic and endocrine disrupting effects, I sampled soils as part of this research at community urban gardens/farms for contaminants from that list which include lead, arsenic, gasoline, diesel and motor oil. I also informally collected interview data from community urban garden/farm users and managers (See Appendix A for literature review questions).