Up to 17% of the worldwide landbags, at least one species of toxic heavy metal dirty, which pose a serious threat to health up to 1.4 billion people. This conclusion was reached by scientists led by Dea Hou from the University of Tsinhua in China. Published in İş Magazine Science.
Heavy metals accumulate in the soils, penetrate plants, then enter water and food chains. This can lead to chronic poisoning and serious diseases in both humans and animals.
The researchers performed an analysis of approximately 800 thousand land samples gathered in different countries. To obtain the most objective picture, they clearly excluded contaminated areas – for example, next to industrial areas.
With the help of machine learning algorithms, scientists found that the content of dangerous metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead, cobalt, nickel, copper and chromium exceeded safe norms for both the environment and for humans.
“The pollution of heavy metals may emerge both due to natural processes and due to human activities, agriculture or mining,” he said.
The most affected regions were in South and East Asia, as well as in some parts of Europe and South America. However, due to lack of data, researchers could not correctly evaluate the situation in African countries, for example.
Scientists emphasize that their work should become a signal for governments and farmers: it is urgent to take measures to protect food safety and public health.
“In fact, soil pollution can be higher than working, Neg the soil scientist of Negassa from the James Hatton Institute, adding. “We just don’t have enough information.”
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Source: Gazeta
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