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Dirt & Soil

Dirt & Soil

Dirt and soil can filter water, store nutrients that crops rely on, and support a wide range of wildlife. However, dirt and soil can also contain naturally occurring hazards or become contaminated by human activities, which may pose health risks.

People can be exposed to hazards from dirt and soil at home in different ways, including:

  • Swallowing contaminated dirt or soil by accident, such as when eating unwashed produce from a home garden.
  • Inhaling home dust that includes contaminated dirt or soil, which might have been tracked in from a yard or garden or brought in on clothing or shoes from a jobsite or other location.

Factors such as how much of a contaminant a person contacts (the dose), how long they are in contact with it (the duration) and a person’s sensitivity (e.g. overall health, genetics, age) help determine whether contact with any contaminant could affect health.

Shovel in dirt

If you want to learn more about contaminants that might be in soil and dirt, the resources below can help. Many of these resources also include steps you can take to lower your exposure to these possible hazards.

Not all chemicals that may be found in a home are listed here. If you are interested in understanding health effects associated with a chemical that is not listed here, call your healthcare provider or our Environmental Health Hotline at 800-648-6942, Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. If you believe you are in immediate danger, call 911 or contact Poison Control at 800-222-1222.

Common acronyms on these pages include:

  • ATSDR – Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.
  • CDC – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
  • EGLE – Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.
  • EPA – United States Environmental Protection Agency.
  • FDA – Food and Drug Administration.
  • LEO – Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
  • MDHHS – Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

Home dirt and soil: Potential Hazards

  • Dioxins, Furans, PCBs, PBDEs and PBBs

    How they may enter dirt around the home: Dioxins, furans and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are long‑lasting environmental contaminants that can be created as unintentional byproducts of industrial processes. Polybrominated biphenyl (PBBs) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are flame‑retardant chemicals that were intentionally manufactured and also break down very slowly once in the environment. In rare cases, these chemicals may be found in home yard soil or dirt because of a nearby source or past contamination. Once these chemicals enter soil or sediment, they can remain there for decades or even centuries.

    Most residential yards are not expected to have elevated levels of these contaminants. However, in Michigan, higher levels of dioxins, furans, and PCBs have been found in certain areas, including parts of the Tittabawassee River floodplain downstream of Midland and along the Saginaw River. To learn more, review the following chemical-specific factsheets:

  • Metals

    How they may enter dirt around the home: Metals in soil can occur naturally or can be present because of human activities. Air pollution from industrial sources or vehicle emissions can deposit metals onto the top layers of soil. Agricultural practices—such as the historic use of lead‑arsenate pesticides or the application of municipal sludge—can also increase metal levels in soil. See information on specific metals below:

    • Aluminum: Aluminum is a naturally occurring element. Nearly all food, water, air and soil contain some aluminum. Aluminum is also present in the environment due to some industrial activities. To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About Aluminum (Spanish, Arabic).
    • Arsenic: Arsenic is a naturally occurring element. It is normal for soil to contain some arsenic. It can also enter dirt and soil from industrial and agricultural activities. In the past, arsenic was commonly used in pesticides and wood preservatives. To learn more, review the following resources:
    • Cadmium: Cadmium is a naturally occurring element found in soil, rocks and plants. Cadmium also enters soil from industrial activity. To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About Cadmium (Spanish, Arabic).
    • Chromium: Chromium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, water, animals and plants. Chromium also enters soil from industrial activity and the production of some consumer products. There are different types of chromium present in the environment. The type called Chromium VI, also known as hexavalent chromium or Cr6, can be harmful – this type may be found near industrial facilities.  To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About Chromium (Spanish, Arabic).
    • Cobalt: Cobalt is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, water, plants and animals. Cobalt may also enter the soil from industrial activity such as battery manufacturing or recycling. To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About Cobalt (Spanish, Arabic).
    • Lead: There is no safe level of lead, and this is true for lead in soil. Although all soil naturally contains some lead, soil can be contaminated with high levels of lead from sources including lead paint, chemicals left over from industrial activities, emissions from vehicles using leaded gas or pesticides used in past agricultural activities. To learn more, review the following resources:
    • Manganese: Manganese is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil, water, plants and animals. Manganese also enters soil from industrial activity such as steel production. To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About Manganese (Spanish, Arabic).
    • Selenium: Selenium is a naturally occurring element. High levels of selenium can enter soil from human activities such as mining, metalworking and the production of pigments and paints. While small amounts of selenium are essential for human health, too much can lead to health problems. To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About Selenium (Spanish, Arabic).
    • Thallium: Thallium is a naturally occurring element found in rocks, soil and plants. Thallium also enters soil from industrial activity such as smelting metal, making certain types of electronics and burning coal. To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About Thallium (Spanish, Arabic).

  • Mold

    How it may enter dirt around the home: Mold spores are already naturally present in outdoor dirt and soil almost everywhere. To learn more, visit the MDHHS webpage, All About Mold.

  • Organochlorine Pesticides

    How they may enter dirt around the home: Organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) are long‑lasting synthetic chemicals once widely used to control insects, fungi, and weeds. Because they persist in the environment, OCP residues stay in soil decades after their use. They can be present in yard soil due to historic lawn or termite treatments, agricultural drift or runoff, contaminated fill dirt, atmospheric deposition or past storage and disposal of pesticides. To learn more, review the factsheet, Frequently Asked Questions About OCPs (Spanish, Arabic).

  • Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

    How they may enter dirt around the home: Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are human‑made chemicals found in many fuels, solvents and household products. VOCs can enter yard soil and drinking water when products containing them are spilled, leaked or improperly disposed of on the ground. Common sources include leaks from underground tanks and pipelines, improper disposal of chemicals, runoff from landfills or industrial areas and the use of VOC‑containing products outdoors. Once VOCs are in soil, they can move downward into groundwater or upward as vapor. This vapor may seep into homes through cracks in the foundation, a process known as vapor intrusion. Learn more about common VOCs from the following factsheets:

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