Household Soil Pollutants

Household Waste

• Urban areas generate a lot of household waste including garbage, sewage mud, plastic bags, waste paper, glasses, metal cans, rubber and fibers. All these wastes build up in the soil where they are disposed off, thus supporting growth of pathogenic life and giving way to diseases. Such organisms may include viruses, bacteria, mosquitoes and flies, which cause diseases like malaria, dengue, typhoid and asthma. Materials like plastic bags and other plastic items are nonbiodegradable and remain in soil for several years and affect its yield. To control this situation, recycling and reusing household items can be of great help. This reduces the household waste that people generate, thereby reducing soil pollution.

Over-use of Fertilizers and Pesticides

• Nutrients are needed for plant growth in your lawn, and you may need to apply pesticides and herbicides too to get rid of common pests in your plants. But remember that fertilizers and pesticides may seep deep into your lawn's soil and affect its fertility and quality. Pesticides are not only toxic for humans and pets, but they also drop the soil's fertility if used in inappropriate quantities.

Sewer Garbage

• The sewer garbage that households generate every single day gets mixed up in soil at the end of the sewage system and degrades its quality and fertility. Sewer garbage contains heavy metals and other toxic elements that are major contributors to soil pollution. If these metals and elements get mixed up with soil repeatedly, heavy metal may accumulate and soil may become unable to handle plant life.

Drain Cleaners

• Drain cleaners are extensively used in households to clean sewage pipes of kitchen sinks, toilet bowls, wash basins and showers. These drain cleaners contain heavy chemicals that are capable of exploding tough clots inside the drain pipes. When these cleaners pass through the drains, they get mixed up in soil and deplete its quality.