_
Michael Mobbs | Sustainable Projects & Design
_
Home | Services | Sustainable House | Buy the Book | FAQ | Links | Positions Vacant ___
_
 

Can we eat fruit and produce from roadside trees and plants?

"During the 1990s a lot of research was done on lead emission from car exhausts on Main Roads. It was found that on busy roads lead emissions were limited to 30 cm high and within 15 metres of the edge of the road. There was no noticeable impact on less frequently used non arterial residential streets from car exhausts. The removal of lead from fuel in Australia has resulted in lead no longer being a health issue for emissions. Hydrocarbons and benzene degrade rapidly and do not impact plants, in fact they are a growth stimulant at low levels.

Road verges may historically have elevated metal levels and PAHs levels in soil from runoff of zinc roofing and from fill from unknown sources. This applies to all soil in the inner city area. Plants have protection mechanisms to prevent the uptake of lead. Copper and zinc are trace elements and can be taken up but this is beneficial for humans. It is recommended for all root crops grown in home or public gardens that the roots be washed and peeled before consumption. Furthermore as recommended by the Department of Health all food for consumption should be washed prior to consumption. If this simple common procedure is undertaken health impacts from food grown on roadside verges and other simple public land is not expected to cause any health issues"

Advice from Phil Mulvey, Managing Director, Environmental Earth Sciences
www.environmentalearthsciences.com

 

Sustainable Services

We offer services to design and obtain approvals for profitable projects which will cut carbon dioxide emissions by at least 50% compared to business as usual, and preferably by 100%.

 
 

Home | Services | Sustainable House | Buy the Book | FAQ | Links | Positions Vacant

email: info@sustainablehouse.com.au
tel: +61 2 9310 2930 fax: +61 2 9475 0613
street: 58 Myrtle St Chippendale NSW 2008 Australia

©2009 Michael Mobbs ABN 80 571 933 970
Last Modified 22 December 2008