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Topic: urban ag and pollution (Read 63 times) |
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harmony
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I am curious to know how air pollution from cars, etc affects urban permaculture. I am gradually planting my backyard with veggies and fruits and herbs as well as flowers for the pollinators. My concern is that the pollution will make the food unhealthy to eat. How much noxious fumes do the trees actually take in? Any info would be appreciated.
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Jordanne
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One Step at a Time...
 
Posts: 118
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Re: urban ag and pollution
« Reply #1 on: Jul 30th, 2003, 8:36pm » |
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Hi Harmony!
Hmmm...... that is a real interesting question! One I don't think I would be able to answer with confidence!
We live near a freeway ourselves but despite that, we are grateful that it is a "dead-end" freeway; meaning that it is the end of the 210 and is lightly used. Also, it is "dug-in" so the pollution sort of stays in the little "bowl" and there are a lot of trees between our house and the freeway that may provide some sort of buffer-zone.
I guess we also hope that washing the veggies will help some. And that the healthiness of fresh veggies will offset any bad effects of their environment.
But one can never tell..... Still, I personally think air pollution doesn't affect plants that much; certainly not as much as soil pollution. And the world is just so polluted; it is often defeating to worry about it. Not like the government is even going to really care...
I'm curious to know what other people think on this subject... maybe there have been some official studies done on the effect of pollution and gardening?
Jordanne
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donb
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I love YaBB 1G - SP1!
Posts: 15
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Re: urban ag and pollution
« Reply #2 on: Jul 31st, 2003, 12:34pm » |
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Trees are about the best barrier between your garden and a pollution source. The leaves act as a filter by slowing down the air and allowing heavier particles to settle out. Trees also provide a sound barrier.
As for roadside pollution, it is significat. I have seen references to studies about pollutiants taken from roadside plantinge but cannot find those now. I believe UC Davis has some studies. The good part is that it does not take very much distance before pollution levels drop.
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Alyssa
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Re: urban ag and pollution
« Reply #3 on: Aug 2nd, 2003, 1:55pm » |
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thanks for the info! I just found this at another site and thought you might be interested:
Trees and plants cool the environment, and will clean and filter up to 60 pounds of pollutants from the air each year.
A one-acre lot of trees and vegetation can absorb up to two tons of acid-rain-causing sulphur dioxide.
Twenty trees can provide the same cooling benefits provided by one air conditioner.
pretty cool, eh?!
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harmony
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Re: urban ag and pollution
« Reply #4 on: Aug 2nd, 2003, 7:27pm » |
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harmony=Alyssa ((oops, sorry!)
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