Soil pollution

What is soil pollution?
Is the presence of substances or organisms, caused by human activities, on or in the soil or structures that have a direct or indirect effect on the quality of the soil?

A polluted soil immediately threatens the quality of life. Such as health consequences on people, plants and animals through contact with harmful substances. The groundwater is often also affected!

What are the causes of soil contamination?
A lot of pollution still comes from the past and includes:

• Gas stations
• Agricultural lands (hazardous pesticides)
• Landfill. These soils are contaminated with all kinds of toxic materials.

How can we prevent soil contamination?
As citizens we can:

• Opt for less harmful cleaning agents (soap, etc.).
• Dispose of used batteries (with heavy metals) at a special collection point, instead of disposing them in the household waste.