Skip to main content

Soil

Healthy soils provide people with many benefits. For example, soil filters water, holds onto nutrients that crops depend on, and is a habitat for diverse wildlife. Sometimes soil may contain natural elements or is contaminated by human activities that can cause health problems for people. Lead, for example, is a common contaminant in city soils and can cause long term health problems if swallowed or breathed in. Click the links below to learn more about hazards you may encounter in soil and ways to reduce your risk.