Comparison of Heavy Metals in Spinach Grown on the Roof Ground Location at Portland State University

As a result of urbanization, fresh, healthy food can be expensive and easily contaminated but space for local farming is limited. Roofs can be underutilized in densely populated cities and can offer a space for local fresh farming. The purpose of this study is to continue a previous study done in 2021, to find if growing leafy vegetables on the roof can limit heavy metal exposure from air pollutants. This study compares spinach grown on the roof in 2021, 2019 and spinach bought from stores around the Portland State University campus and the heavy metals found in these greens. The expected results show that growing leafy greens on the roof will have fewer heavy metals than store bought spinach. Evidence that growing vegetables on the roof results in less contaminants can lead to larger-scale local gardens and fresher, healthy produce.