Soil and Human Health

Leaching is the process by which contaminants are dissolved and carried away from soil by water.

Fertilizers are not typically considered soil contaminants, as they are applied to soil to improve plant growth.

Humans can be exposed to soil contaminants through ingestion (eating or drinking contaminated soil or water), inhalation (breathing in contaminated dust or vapors), and skin contact (touching contaminated soil or water).

Skin irritation is not typically associated with exposure to soil contaminants. However, other health effects, such as cancer, neurological disorders, and reproductive problems, can be caused by exposure to certain soil contaminants.

Remediation, restoration, and reclamation are all terms used to describe the process of removing contaminants from soil.

Landfilling is not a common method for remediating soil contamination, as it simply moves the contamination from one location to another.

Phytoremediation is the process by which plants absorb and break down contaminants in soil.

Corn is not commonly used in phytoremediation, as it is not as effective at absorbing and breaking down contaminants as other plants.

Bioremediation is the process by which microorganisms break down contaminants in soil.

Algae are not commonly used in bioremediation, as they are not as effective at breaking down contaminants as bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.

Mycoremediation is the process by which fungi break down contaminants in soil.

Black mold is not commonly used in mycoremediation, as it is not as effective at breaking down contaminants as white rot fungi, brown rot fungi, and yeast.

Restoration is the process of restoring soil to its natural state after it has been contaminated.

Excavation is not a common method for restoring contaminated soil, as it is expensive and can be disruptive to the environment.

Reclamation is the process of reclaiming land that has been contaminated.

Landfilling is not a common method for reclaiming contaminated land, as it simply moves the contamination from one location to another.