Diseases caused by Soil Pollution – Soil pollution is characterized by the continuous accumulation of toxic products, salts, radioactive materials, chemicals or disease-causing agents, which are harmful to humans and the environment. It results mainly from human activities, including the application of pesticides such as atrazine, a very common herbicide, and the generation of undesirable industrial waste, such as arsenic. Pollution changes the composition of the soil and creates a pathogenic environment, leading to the spread of disease.
5 Diseases caused by Soil Pollution
Cancer
Pesticides, benzene, chromium, and herbicides are carcinogenic products that can lead to the development of cancer. Prolonged exposure to benzene is responsible for irregular menstrual cycles, leukemia, and anemia, and can be fatal if there are high levels of this substance. Benzene is a chemical, liquid, found in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. It is used in the chemical synthesis of substances and interferes with cellular function. It decreases the production of red, white blood cells and antibodies, thus compromising the immunity of the body.
Kidney and liver disorders
People develop kidney disease when exposed to soil that has been contaminated with lead. Soil pollutants, such as mercury and cyclodienes, also increase the possibility of irreversible damage to the kidneys. Cyclodienes and PCBs also cause hepatic intoxication. The situation is worse for poor people who are forced by living circumstances to live near dumping places, industries, and landfills, where they are exposed to soil pollution on a daily basis. They end up with immune deficiencies, kidney and liver problems, neurological damage and lung problems.
Brain and nerve damage
Children can be exposed to the harmful effects of soil pollution in places such as playgrounds and parks, where soil contamination with lead has been proven to be the cause of neuromuscular and brain development problems.
Malaria
Contaminated water or untreated sewage may mix with the soil in areas where it rains very often, as in the tropics. The protozoan that causes malaria and the mosquitoes that are its hosts thrive under these conditions; resulting in increased dissemination of both, leading to frequent outbreaks of malaria.
Cholera and dysentery
Soil pollution is strongly linked to water pollution, because when the soil is contaminated, pollutants pass into the surface and underground water, leading to contamination of drinking water and an outbreak of diseases transmitted through it, such as cholera and dysentery.
