Health effects
Contaminated or polluted soil directly affects human
health through direct contact with soil or via inhalation of soil contaminants
which have vaporized; potentially greater threats are posed by the infiltration
of soil contamination into groundwater aquifers used for human consumption,
sometimes in areas apparently far removed from any apparent source of above
ground contamination.
Health consequences from exposure to soil contamination
vary greatly depending on pollutant type, pathway of attack and vulnerability
of the exposed population. Chronic exposure to chromium, lead and other metals,
petroleum, solvents, and many pesticide and herbicide formulations can be
carcinogenic, can cause congenital disorders, or can cause other chronic health
conditions. Industrial or man-made concentrations of naturally occurring
substances, such as nitrate and ammonia associated with livestock manure from
agricultural operations, have also been identified as health hazards in soil
and groundwater
.
Collected by Gopinath & Mukesh