Soil Pollution's Impact: Diseases And Disorders

Soil pollution is a serious environmental concern that can have a detrimental impact on human health. Contaminated soil can contain toxic chemicals, heavy metals, insecticides, and other poisonous substances that enter the human body through direct contact with the skin or by consuming food grown on such soil. This can lead to various health issues, including skin infections, kidney and liver disease, cholera, dysentery, and even cancer. With the potential for fatal consequences, it is crucial to address soil pollution and implement preventive measures to safeguard human well-being.

Kidney and liver disease

Soil pollution can cause a range of diseases, including kidney and liver disease. Chemicals like mercury and cyclodienes can enter the body through food grown in contaminated soil, causing irreparable damage to the kidneys and liver. People living near garbage sites and industrial factories are at a particularly high risk of developing these diseases, as these sites tend to have polluting chemicals present in the soil.

Soil pollution is closely associated with water pollution, and when polluted soil seeps into groundwater, it can contaminate drinking water supplies. This can lead to outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery, which can be fatal. Soil can also enter the body through improper washing of vegetables or through fingernails, and germs present in ingested soil can cause amoebiasis or acute stomach infections.

In addition to kidney and liver disease, exposure to contaminated soil can cause skin infections such as rashes and ringworm, as well as breathing difficulties, nervous system impairments, and cancer. Soil pollutants can enter the body through direct contact with the skin, inhalation, or ingestion, and children are particularly vulnerable to accidental ingestion of soil particles while playing on the ground.

The sources of soil pollution include industrial waste, agricultural activities, and poor garbage removal, which introduce toxic chemicals, heavy metals, insecticides, and other poisonous substances into the soil. These pollutants can have serious health consequences for humans, and it is important to take measures to prevent soil pollution and protect human health.

Waterborne diseases

Soil pollution can cause a range of diseases, including waterborne diseases. When polluted soil seeps into groundwater, it can contaminate drinking water reservoirs, leading to outbreaks of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery. Dysentery alone kills nearly 140 million people worldwide each year, and in the United States, it causes between 25,000 and 30,000 casualties annually. Soil can enter the body through improperly washed vegetables, which can have soil particles stuck to them. Germs present in this ingested soil can cause amoebiasis or acute stomach infections.

There are several types of waterborne diseases, including bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Bacterial infections, such as cholera and typhoid fever, are caused by ingesting water contaminated with bacteria such as *Vibrio cholerae* or *Salmonella typhi*. Viral infections, such as hepatitis A and norovirus, can be transmitted through contaminated water, leading to gastrointestinal illnesses. Parasitic infections, such as giardiasis and cryptosporidiosis, are caused by ingesting water contaminated with parasitic organisms.

The symptoms of waterborne diseases can vary depending on the specific pathogen involved. However, common symptoms include gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhoea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps. In some cases, waterborne diseases can also cause fever, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. More severe infections can lead to dehydration, organ damage, and even death.

Prevention of waterborne diseases focuses on ensuring access to safe drinking water and improving sanitation and hygiene practices. This includes treating water to remove pathogens, properly disposing of sewage and waste, and promoting handwashing and food hygiene. Education and awareness about the risks of waterborne diseases are also crucial in preventing their spread.

Skin infections

Soil pollution can cause a range of diseases, including skin infections. Skin infections can occur when polluted soil comes into direct contact with the skin. This can cause rashes and ringworm all over the body.

Soil pollution can occur due to industrial waste, agricultural activities, and poor garbage removal. These activities can introduce toxic chemicals, heavy metals, insecticides, and other poisonous substances into the soil.

Children are particularly vulnerable to soil pollution as they tend to play on the ground and may accidentally swallow soil particles. Soil pollution can also contaminate groundwater, leading to outbreaks of water-borne diseases such as cholera and dysentery.

It is important to take cautionary measures to avoid diseases caused by soil pollution and to prevent further environmental degradation.

Nervous system impairments

Soil pollution can cause nervous system impairments, which can lead to permanent damage to the nervous system. Children are particularly vulnerable to lead, which can cause depression of the CNS (Central Nervous System).

Soil pollution can occur through air deposition, such as mining and smelting activities, or through contact with contaminated surface or ground waters. Pollutants can enter the body through the nose, mouth or skin, and cause a variety of short-term health problems such as headaches, coughing, chest pain, nausea, and skin/eye irritation.

Prolonged exposure to contaminated soil can lead to the depression of the central nervous system and damage to vital organs, such as the liver and kidneys. Long-term exposure to polluted soils has also been linked to cancer in humans.

The effects of air pollution on the central nervous system are not broadly recognised, but research has found that air pollution can cause diverse neurological disorders as a result of inflammation of the nervous system, oxidative stress, activation of microglial cells, protein condensation, and cerebral vascular-barrier disorders. Neuronal cell damage caused by fine dust, especially in fetuses and infants, can cause permanent brain damage or lead to neurological disease in adulthood.

Cancer

Soil pollution can cause a variety of diseases, including cholera, dysentery, amoebiasis, acute stomach infection, rashes, ringworm, kidney disease, liver disease, breathing difficulties, skin issues, nervous system impairments, and cancer.

Soil pollution is a significant environmental concern, as it can have serious health impacts on humans. People who live near garbage sites and industrial factories are at a particularly high risk of developing cancer and other diseases due to their exposure to polluting chemicals in the soil.

When soil is polluted with toxic chemicals, heavy metals, or pesticides, these substances can be absorbed by plants and accumulate in the food chain. This means that even people who do not live near polluted areas can still be exposed to these carcinogens through the food they eat.

Additionally, soil pollution can also contribute to air and water pollution, further increasing the risk of cancer and other diseases. For example, when polluted soil seeps into groundwater, it can contaminate drinking water reservoirs, leading to an increased risk of water-borne diseases.

It is important to take steps to prevent and reduce soil pollution to protect human health and the environment. This includes proper waste management, reducing the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides, and implementing measures to prevent industrial waste from contaminating soil and water sources.

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