Health Hazards Due To Soil Pollution

Human activities provide solid waste material that can pollute the soil used to grow food. Consumerism produces waste materials. The products you buy create waste during manufacturing, when you purchase the items and finally when you dispose of electronics and other consumer items. The chemical waste left behind can make its way into the soil from underground storage containers. Incinerating waste can make containments airborne, which eventually are exposed to soil due to rain.

Mercury

Mercury is a neurotoxin that interferes with proper brain function and the nervous system of adults and children. Exposure to high levels of mercury can affect your kidneys. In growing children, lower IQ levels are seen in children exposed to mercury. According to G. Miller and Scott Spoolman of "Environmental Science: Problems, Concepts and Solutions," incineration of mercury-containing electronics and batteries can leach mercury into the soil. Mercury isn't biodegradable, meaning it can't break down into less harmful material because it is a basic element.

DDT

DDT stands for dichlordiphenyltrichloroethane. Environmental health problems instituted the banning of this pesticide in the United States and other countries. DDT pesticide served to prevent insect infestation, especially to prevent yellow fever and malaria from mosquitoes, states the Alternative Energy Center in "Wars and Soil Pollution." DDT threatens wild birds by thinning the shells of unhatched birds. For humans, DDT is linked with fertility problems and infant brain development according to Miller and Spoolman.

Arsenic

Glass manufacturing increases arsenic levels in soil. Arsenic is used to prevent the green coloring of glass caused by iron compounds in glass material. Military weaponry contributes to the increase of arsenic levels in soil. Waste disposal of military weapons and production of poisonous gases allows arsenic to seep into soil and groundwater supplies, reports the Alternative Energy Center. Arsenic can cause skin pigment changes and increase the growth of warts and corns on your hands and face, according to Medline Plus.

Lead

Lead is a known environmental hazard. Children are vulnerable to the health effects of lead poisoned land, which necessitates massive cleanups if detected. Exposure to lead can cause increased blood pressure, muscle and joint pain, and infertility according to Medline Plus. If exposure is high enough, lead exposure can lead to death.

Benzene

Benzene and arsenic can cause aplastic anemia, which comes from damage to blood stem cells and reduces the number of red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, according to Medline Plus. Benzene is released into soil from underground leaking petroleum storage tanks, reports Jesper Christensen and Jason Elton in "Soil and Groundwater Pollution from BTEX." Petroleum products contain high levels of benzene and benzene derivatives that can leach into soil and groundwater supplies and threaten your health.