Environmental Community Garden Project

Through a cooperative effort of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service and Paducah community members of Active Citizens for Truth (ACT), the Environmental Community Garden Project will address the following community-based environmental issues within a two-mile radius of the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PGDP). ACT wishes to reduce the risks for the low-income, undereducated population that lives in closest proximity to the plant who may have been exposed to higher than average toxic pollutants. Data collected will provide research-based data to answer community concerns about garden produce grown in a potentially contaminated area and promote scientific knowledge for other communities in similar situations. ACT believes community members must be equipped with the desired scientific knowledge to make educated decisions about growing their own produce for food or resale and the potential health consequences. The aims of the project are as follows: ~ Collect edible garden produce from gardens grown within a two-mile radius around the PGDP using a predetermined plan. ~Analyze the foodstuff for chemical contaminants (antimony, arsenic, barium, beryllium, cadmium, chromium, fluoride, lead, manganese, nickel, uranium, vanaditJm and PCBs) and radionuclides. ~ Compare previously collected research-based data from journal articles and government agency documents for comparisons. ~ Evaluate the effects on and risks to human health from detected hazardous substances and explain the data to interested community members through ACT meetings using University of Kentucky expertise. ~ Publish research data to promote fuller scientific knowledge and the understanding of garden produce contamination. Other community members and organizations endorse the project because of the effect the end results may have on health concerns and economic prosperity. Letters of endorsement are attached at the back of this application. Figure 1A and Figure 2 clarify the demographics of surrounding property boundaries and other features within two miles of PGDP. '