Jancy Benavides

GFI Fellow - Class of 2015

Undergraduate Student, Public Health
UC San Diego

Project

Public Health Approach to Toxicants in Brownfields

Description

Brownfields are known to accumulate various toxins and contaminants in their soil due to time and environment, thus it is important to do research on these soils. This research then leads to identifying the levels of the contaminant that are considered safe for consumption and safe to have direct contact with, leading to research in how to reduce toxin levels in the soil to allow safe planting and providing a source of healthy food to the community.

Goals

Lead cannot be destroyed, but there are ways to reduce toxin levels in soil, plants and fruit. Perhaps there are ways to reduce the levels within the environment of the city (San Diego) by the way the city is designed. By reducing the toxin levels in brownfields, sustainable community gardens can be created without jeopardizing or creating health risk to the community, instead ending food disparities and improving the health of the community.