It is never an issue having concerns about these matters - forewarned is forearmed - but it is also helpful to keep them in the proper perspective. Virtually all pesticides and synthetic fertilizers breakdown into mostly harmless elemental components over time, however there may be some buld-up of heavy metals and these would be what you might want to test for - lead, arsenic, mercury, cadmium, etc. All these exist naturally in the environment and some are even necessary as trace elements. It is the dosage or concentrations, which, if too high, can create problems. Some soil test labs test regularly for the presence of heavy metals and others require it as a separate test (aside from the basics). If your extension service does not offer this type of test (and many do not), they should be able to direct you to a lab that does. Or you can Google for soil testing labs in your area and inquire directly. I've included one link to PA area soil testing labs. Unfortunately, there is not a lot you can do about pollution. Airborn particles go where they go. Runoff from roads can leach various pollutants into ditches, streams and groundwater but again, there's not a lot you can do about it other than constructing swales along any roads adjacent to your property that can filter out many of the pollutants before they reach groundwater. The old pressure treated woods leach toxins at a very low rate and I doubt your deck is creating much of an issue. There is a much greater concern if the treated lumber was used to construct retaining walls or raised beds that might contain planting areas, especially edible plants, but support posts are most likely encased in concrete to provide structural integrity and that would prevent direct leaching into the ground. You very likely have a greater exposure to the toxins just from walking on the deck or handling the railings, etc. Painting, staining or sealing the deck wood would contain a lot of this potential also but check out the environmentally safe brands of these products. And not all decks are constructed from PTL or the type of PTL that is considered hazardous for just these reasons. Newer treated lumber (post 2002) is considered "safe". One thing to keep in mind is that compost is an excellent neutralizer and is ofen used to remediate contaminated soil situations. Start your own composting operation and start applying it liberally. It will a) improve soil fertility, structure and drainage, b) encourage the organisms that contribute to a healthy soil and c)go a long way to improving or removing potential contaminates. Here is a link that might be useful: Pennsylvania soil testing labs

I can't answer that for sure but don't believe it's a problem. Eggplant, tomatoes and potatos are all in the same family with toxic foliage and stems and we eat their fruit. I don't know if the alkaloid concentration in brugs and dats is much higher. You could probably contact a university agricultural extension for a definitive answer. I know that the University of Maryland has an agricultural extension.

hope you feel better check out the link ... first link gives a latin version.. there might even be a Japanese name ... flip over to the IMAGES side... to see its potential ... once established.. it should be pretty bullet-proof ... just plant it properly.. do not let it dry out this summer.. but dont drown it .... and water late into fall ... and see what happens ... but why did you give up on all the rest ???? is there a story we are missing???? ken Here is a link that might be useful: link

1st thing we would need to know is are you in the hills of L.A.? Lot of unstable ground out here & if you get driveway that is 2 strips for your wheels to drive up. The ground around those strips could be moved by too much watering or rain, some areas hardly need anything to "decide to move on down the hill into the neighbors house" The quality of the concrete would make a difference on whether it could take the stress of a jackhammer & saw, I found after the Northridge quake my driveway was cracked & where it was it looked like the cracks could be widened & brick laid side by side . I was told it might not work & they would not be responsible. There were no cracks prior to that quake & it was less than 25 yrs old so I took the chance & it turned out well. What will be between the strips, most places I've seen its weeds. It's like planting between concrete diamonds, most look awful but 1 person did it & it was beautiful haven't gone by it lately so don't know how it is now, probably couldn't even find it.So think about upkeep after you change things & cost of hauling out all that concrete, getting edges straight & not breaking part you want left. Might tackle much smaller jackhammer job 1st. You must be big & strong to even hang on to 1 & control it unless they are very different than they used to be. Good Luck!