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The Effects of Land Pollution on People

People are not isolated from the environment, and ecological problems have an impact not just on wild animals and plants but on humans, too. Land pollution has serious, direct effects on human health and life expectancy as well as commercial, political and economic implications.

  1. Health

    • Exposure to pollutants, even at low levels, causes health problems. The very old, the very young, the infirm and pregnant women are most vulnerable; but land pollution can adversely affect everybody. The thousands of different pollutants, especially agricultural chemicals, can, at high levels, cause respiratory and dermatological disorders, eye infections, damage to the central nervous system, gastroenteritis, muscular and skeletal damage, and anemia. Even in well-regulated countries such as the United States, pollutants are a health risk. For example, lead from pipes, paint and fishing tackle causes developmental difficulties in children and damage to adult nervous and reproductive systems.

    Birth Defects

    • One of the most disturbing effects of serious land pollution is an associated rise in genetic mutations in humans and animals. Fetal deformities mean an increased number of babies born with very serious and often life-threatening disabilities. The use of uranium shells during the Iraq war produced toxic waste, which has since been linked to a rise in birth defects throughout the region. Pregnant women exposed to agricultural chemicals, lead and other hazardous waste are also at risk.

    Livelihoods

    • Land pollution can ruin people's livelihoods. Farmers in particular are dependent on their land producing food fit for human consumption. In extreme cases, pollution can render land barren and useless. At lower levels, it results in food containing unacceptably high levels of toxic chemicals, which should not be eaten or sold. The adverse impact of toxins such as cadmium on plants results in reduced crop yields. Farming is often a difficult way to make a living, and soil pollution makes it even harder.

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