Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon and metal contamination in urban playground soils: Identification of sources and sociological implications

In our daily lives we are faced with many hidden exposures to environmental contaminants from anthropogenic activity. In urban environments risk factors increase due to human influence. This study examines this human influence. My collective objective was to evaluate the quality and quantity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and select metals in public elementary school playgrounds across the Oklahoma City to evaluate risk dynamics with sourcing of contaminants and children exposure. Chapter II, Levels of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Metal Contamination in Urban Playground Soils, evaluated PAHs and select metal distribution across 138 public elementary schools. The objectives were to determine if certain contaminants and sites were of concern for human health risk. Both PAHs and arsenic were above soil screening levels across most sites; however, they did not statistically co-occur. Chapter III, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Metal Contamination in Urban Playground Soils with Regards to Major Roadways and Identification of Sources, used multiple approaches to evaluate sourcing of contaminants. In addition to correlative evaluations, spatial techniques, such as mapping with the input of data collected from local and federal governmental agencies can help to provide more context for the dynamics of a complex system such as an urban environment. Using these techniques, PAHs were found to be mostly pyrogenic in origin with traffic as a source. Finally, Chapter IV, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon and Metal Contamination in Urban Playground Soils with Regards to School Demographic Correlations, looked at the social dynamics and diversity of the school systems to identify more sensitive populations facing additional risk of soil contamination. This study evaluated the socioeconomic and racial dynamics of schools across the area to establish a better understanding of the impact on urban pollution on communities. Schools with low socioeconomic factors and higher nonwhite populations had higher levels of PAH contamination. These populations spatially relate with associated traffic levels, indicating an Environmental Justice issue. While these pollutants may not be of our daily concern, we still face exposure in safe spaces, and there are disproportionate exposure opportunities to these pollutants depending on social and racial backgrounds.