The Significance of Soil Pollution

Sources

• Soil pollution can come from many different sources. The longer the particles take to decay, the farther they can travel. Because of this endurance, it is possible for industrial or commercial contaminants to be picked up by the wind or rain and dropped in residential areas. Since weather patterns generally follow some of the same courses, this can result in the buildup of soil pollution over time.

  Practices and products used in the home can also contribute to soil pollution. Chemicals, household cleaners, paints, and even fertilizers and pesticides can all accumulate in the soil.

Food Crops

• Contaminants in the soil can pose a significant problem for gardeners who are raising fruit and vegetable crops. Pollution not only can remain in the soil for years, but also can build up over time if the source is not removed. When food crops are grown in polluted soil, they can absorb molecules along with the water that is drawn in through their root systems. When this occurs, the food crops themselves become polluted and may result in the illness of anyone who consumes them.

  When planting a garden, testing soil samples for pollution can help indicate whether foods grown will be healthy. Most college extension offices have soil testing capabilities.

Pets and Children

• Of all the members of a family, the most vulnerable to the ill effects of pollution are the ones who come in closest contact with the soil. Soil pollution can pose a significant threat to children who frequently play outside, as well as to pets that are allowed outdoors. The ground around the home is one of the most common places to find traces of lead, which remains in the ground for years after exposure. Lead paints, gasoline and other chemicals spilled on the ground can mean lead is being inhaled or ingested by children and pets. Small, still growing bodies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of lead poisoning, which can range from headaches to permanent brain damage and learning difficulties.

Disease

• Soil pollution is not just created by chemical contaminants but can also pose a significant risk when the ground around a home and garden is contaminated with biological components. Large livestock farms that do not properly dispose of animal waste can contaminate ground water. and in turn soil, with bacteria such as E. coli, which is then transferred through food and direct ingestion.

  Similarly, sewage runoff or leakage from a waste treatment plant can contaminate water and soil with a variety of bacteria and microorganisms that can make people extremely ill. These agents tend to stay in the soil for some time, as they do not decompose quickly.