The International Centre for Environment and Nuclear Sciences at UWI, Mona has received funding of just under $6 million to carry out a 24 month research project. The funding is in the form of a grant from the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica. The project is designed to measure the effects of heavy metals on agriculture and health in Jamaica. It will identify the geographical distribution of cadmium and other toxic elements in soil and food. It will also help scientists to understand the factors which control the uptake of cadmium in foods, especially yam and leafy vegetables. The results will help to improve land use selection and agricultural practices.