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1.3.3. Soil Pollution
Soil is an essential ecosystem that delivers valuable services such as the provision of food, energy
and raw materials, carbon sequestration, water purification, nutrient regulation, pest control, and
support for biodiversity and recreation. (ec.europa.eu, n.d.)

Soil pollution when toxic chemicals (pollutants or contaminants) in soil are found, in
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Causes of soil pollution
The causes of soil pollution can be eithre man-made or naturally occuring causes. For the purposes
of this module, we will focus more on the anthropogenic ones, some of which are:

Spills and leaks of chemicals

Poor agricultural activities/practices (pesticides
and/or insecticides etc.)

Vehicle emissions

Improper waste dumping/management and
landfilling

Effects of soil pollution
Soil pollution can similarly affect plants, animals and humans. Various anthropogenic activities have
resulted in increased human exposure to pollutants including potentially toxic elements (PTEs). Soil
pollutants can be transferred into the food chain via plant uptake and pose various hazards to animal
and human health.
Some of the health problems caused, are impairment of kidney function, in both animals and humans.
On the other hand exposure to PTEs in soils can cause severe health effects including lung, kidney, liver
damage. Children are in higher risk due to hand-to-mouth activities in soil. (Rodrigues and Römkens,
2018)

Additional Resources

• Lesson Plans on Soil Pollution with activities and instructions and some more information

https://www.ezview.wa.gov/Portals/_1962/images/Legacy%20Pesticides/Background%20docs/be-
alert-in-the-dirt-lesson-plans.pdf

https://study.com/academy/lesson/soil-pollution-lesson-plan.html

This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This communication reflects the
views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the

information contained therein.