Chung, Cinco, Ereneta, Garcia, Mercado, Prieto, Taylo

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The result of man’s misuse of the soil
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The degradation of the health and quality of the land surface
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The addition of undesirable matter to the land, matter that damages terrestrial organisms that depend on the land.

1. Agriculture
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Accumulation of animal manures
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Excessive input of chemical fertilizers
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Illicit dumping of tainted crops on land
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Overgrazing
2. Mining and Quarrying
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Use of explosives to blow up mines
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Use of machineries which emit toxic byproducts that leak to the ground

3. Sewage Sludge
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Improper or inadequate sanitation system causes sludge to leak at surrounding soil

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Diseases transmit from direct contact with polluted soil or from contact with other resources, such as water that has made direct contact with polluted soil.
Children are more susceptible simple because they usually have more frequent contact with the soil as compared to adults.
Diseases causes by land pollution include: cancer, neurological problems, and tissue damage and irritation.
Indirectly affects the respiratory system. The polluted dust and/or particles can enter the lungs.
Skin problems are frequently linked to land pollution.
One of the leading causes for birth defects. Pregnant women living in unhealthy and dirty environment can incur breathing problems and a number of diseases, which may affect the health of the baby as well.

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Organ damage and bioaccumulation
Main Soil
Pollutant
Lead (Pb)
Potential Specific Sources
• Lead paint
• Mining
• Foundry activities
• Vehicle exhaust (historical exhaust since lead is not used in gasoline anymore)
• Construction activities
• Agriculture activities (pesticide with lead such as lead arsenate that was banned but has been historically used)
Some Common Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the Polluted Soil
• Affect the nervous system and memory, growth and development, as well as cognitive development (lower
Iqs)
• Learning difficulties
• Autism in genetically predisposed people
• Growth reduction and weight loss
• Impair pituitary-thyroid endocrine system
• Favor osteoporosis at old age

Main Soil pollutant Potential Specific Sources Some Common Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the Polluted Soil
Mercury (Hg) Mining
Incineration of coal
Alkali and metal processing
Medical and other waste
Volcanoes and geologic deposits (natural sources)
Accumulation in plants and vegetables grown on polluted soils
Itching, burning, pain
Damage to brain kidney and lungs
Pink disease (acrodynia) – skin discoloration (pink cheeks, fingertips, toes), while red cheeks and nose in affected chlidren
Desquamation (peeling off in layers of dead skin)
High blood pressure and hypersalivation tachycardia
Loss of hair, teeth, nails, photofobia, kidney disfunction, memory impairment, insomnia - in children

Main Soil pollutant
Arsenic (As)
Potential Specific Sources
Mining
Coal-fired power plants
Lumber facilities (used as
CCA – chromate copper arsenate in pressure treated wood)
Electronic Industry
Foundry activities
Agriculture (Pesticides including some of those currently used)
Natural accumulation under specific conditions
Some Common
Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the Polluted
Soil
If ingested –the most specific effects relates to skin pattern changes and cancer
(including liver, kidney, bladder, prostate and lung cancer); also at lower doses the digestive system may be affected with symptoms such as: nausea vomiting, stomach irritation, diarrhea, damage of blood vessels
If inhaled – skin changes; irritation of throat and lungs, circulatory problems, nervous system disorders

Main Soil pollutant Potential Specific Sources
Other metals (Mn,
Cd, Cu, Zn, Ni, etc.)
PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons)
Herbicides/Insectici des
Mining
Foundry activities
Construction activities
Coal burning
Vehicle emissions
Accumulation in plants and vegetables grown on polluted soils
Cigarette smoke
Wildfires
Agricultural burning
Wood burning
Asphalt roads (construction activities)
Industrial plants (e.g., coal tar, bitumen, coal-gasification)
Accumulation in plants and vegetables grown on polluted soils
Construction activities
Agricultural activities
Gardening
Some Common
Symptoms/Effects of
Poisoning with the
Polluted Soil
Depend on metals – please follow individual links
Harm to skin, body fluids, and autoimmune system
Eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, diahrea
Cataracts
Kidney and liver damage
Cancer (skin, lung, bladder, gastrointestinal)
Large range of effects from skin rashes to death

Animals
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Toxic litter can be eaten by wildlife, both in the water and on land
Pests increase as the edible garbage become breeding grounds resulting in an increase of their population and communicable diseases.
These diseases can be transferred to other animals.
Pesticides have unintended effects on plants and animals inadvertently exposed during application. A common agricultural pesticide, atrazine has different effects with respect to which animal receives exposure. For example, reptile eggs were not found to be affected, likely due to their thick, leathery shell.
Conversely, quail were found to have reduced food consumption and inhibited reproductive capabilities.
Soil
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Items such as batteries, light bulbs and televisions leach toxic chemicals like mercury into the ground.
Sources like smokestacks and fertilizers can coat large plots of land with toxins. These chemicals enter the soil, either attached to soil particles or trapped in air pockets. They then contaminate local plant and animal life, as well as nearby water systems.

Water Plants
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Chemicals that enter the soil can easily spread to water systems.
Groundwater absorbs chemicals from the soil. It is often used to supply local communities with drinking water, and to support local agriculture. Nearby rivers can sweep chemicals downstream toward oceans or lakes, which affects fish and other wildlife.
As pollution is introduced into major bodies of water it begins to saturate the water with phosphates and nitrates, especially when human waste is introduced. This over-saturation causes an exponential growth in algae and other plants, which can ultimately block the sun's rays from reaching deep into the water.
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Toxic chemicals can seep into the ground and contaminate local affect every part of the ecosystem---both plants and animals. If plants are exposed to harmful pollution, their fruits may become tainted, thus placing animals who feed on these plants in danger of being poisoned.

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Reduce, reuse, recycle
Buy biodegradable products
Avoid the use of pesticides
Don’t litter
Use reusable containers
Try to use organic products (products that are biodegradable and environment-friendly)
Have a proper waste management system
Make use of scratch paper
Avoid the use of plastic shopping bags – use reusable bags instead

Websites used:
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 http://library.thinkquest.org?C0111040/Popups/pop_table_land1.
htm http://www.livestrong.com/article/159831-health-effects-from-soilpollution/ http://lifestyle.iloveindia.com/lounge/causes-and-effects-of-landpollution-4470.html
http://www.livestrong.com/article/176005-the-effects-of-soilpollution-on-humans/ http://www.ehow.com/list_6453037_effects-land-pollutionhealth.html
http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/ http://www.environmentalpollutioncenters.org/soil/examples/ http://www.livestrong.com/article/140586-how-does-landpollution-affect-environment/#ixzz1leKRbEvf http://www.ehow.com/list_6497593_effects-land-pollutionenvironment.html#ixzz1leJfRqC9