The effect of soil on human health: an overview

Abstract

Summary Soil has a considerable effect on human health, whether those effects are positive or negative, direct or indirect. Soil is an important source of nutrients in our food supply and medicines such as antibiotics. However, nutrient imbalances and the presence of human pathogens in the soil biological community can cause negative effects on health. There are also many locations where various elements or chemical compounds are found in soil at toxic levels because of either natural conditions or anthropogenic activities. The soils of urban environments have received increased attention in the last few years, and they too pose a number of human health questions and challenges. Concepts such as soil security may provide a framework within which issues on soil and human health can be investigated using interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches. It will take the contributions of experts in several different scientific, medical and social science fields to address fully soil and human health issues. Although much progress was made in understanding links between soil and human health over the last century, there is still much that we do not know about the complex interactions between them. Therefore, there is still a considerable need for research in this important area. Highlights Soil is important to human health. Effects can be positive or negative, direct or indirect. Advances have been made in recent years. Inter‐ and trans‐disciplinary research is needed.

Evaluation of Wood Ash as Additive for Cow Manure Composting

“…Intensive agriculture is based on the use of large quantities of pesticides and herbicides to increase yields, but the price to pay is the deterioration of the quality of soil, water, the environment, pollution and the emergence of new pathogens that are increasingly resistant to pesticides. The overuse of chemical fertilizers is a threat to human health, through the consumption of chemical residues that enter the food chain, as well as the inhalation of toxic gases [2]. Sustainability issues in modern agriculture are becoming increasingly important, reflecting the need for long-term soil fertility management and environmental protection.…”

Assessment of the Spatiotemporal Effects of Land Use Changes on Runoff and Nitrate Loads in the Talar River

“…Water is the most important source and its quality directly affects human health, soil fertility, biogeochemical cycles, welfare, food security and industrial development [4,5].…”

Special section on soil and human health – An editorial

“…Several recent reviews have highlighted these links (e.g. Cakmak & Kutman, ; Li et al, ; Oliver & Gregory, ; Steffan et al, ; Stockamp & Thompson, ; Wall et al, ; Xie et al, ). Nevertheless, many questions still remain.…”