GabyAccording to estimates from American scientists, approximately one-sixth of the world’s arable land is contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Analyzing research data and the global distribution of the population, the team discovered that around 1.4 billion people live in areas at heightened risk of poisoning. Between 14 and 17 percent of the Earth’s arable land—242 million hectares—is polluted with at least one toxic metal, such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copper, nickel, and lead, at concentrations that exceed safety thresholds for agriculture.
The analysis, conducted by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and published in the journal Science, compiled data from over 1,000 regional studies worldwide and utilized machine learning technology. Dr. Liz Rylott, a senior lecturer in the Department of Biology at York University, who was not involved in the study, stated, “These results highlight how these natural toxins contaminate our soils, enter our food and water, and impact our health and the environment.” She added, “These elements, often referred to as heavy metals, cause a range of devastating health issues, including skin damage, reduced function of the nervous system and organs, as well as cancer.”
What else did the scientists report? According to the study, soil contamination with toxic metals occurs due to both natural processes and human activities. Contaminated soil poses significant risks to ecosystems and human health, while also reducing crop yields and degrading water quality. Due to bioaccumulation in agricultural animals, food products are also exposed to heavy metals, as reported by The Guardian. Contamination from toxic metals can persist in arable lands for decades. Scientists predict that as demand for these metals increases, soil pollution is likely to worsen.
“The need for critical metals to create the green infrastructure necessary to combat climate change—such as wind turbines, electric vehicle batteries, and photovoltaic panels—will exacerbate this pollution,” noted Ms. Rylott. The most prevalent toxic metal found was cadmium, which is particularly widespread in South and East Asia, as well as certain parts of the Middle East and Africa. As the expert pointed out, countries with low and middle income levels suffer the most from heavy metal contamination.
