Environmental Health

Motor oil poisons plants. This common lubricant may keep our car, truck and motorboat engines running smoothly, but it can cause a great deal of damage to plants and their surrounding ecosystem....

Phytoremediation is the use of plants to clean pollutants from soil. Plants can degrade pollutants directly, or microbial communities already in the soil can be enhanced to increase natural...

Gardeners looking to improve the quality of their soil and increase the growth and yield of their plants should consider the benefits of adding organic matter. Organic matter provides essential...

Before listing causes, it's important that there be a proper, working definition of just what soil pollution is, and what it isn't. Generally, soil pollution is defined as the addition of...

We often overlook the importance and effects of the weathering constantly occurring all around us. Most probably do not notice weathering of rock because it can take many lifetimes before the...

Most people have been made aware of the health benefits that organic food provides, but organic farming is also very beneficial for the environment. Traditional farmers use chemicals to control...

Soil is the foundation of the world's ecosystems. Healthy soil supports life. Unfortunately, an increase in pollution has had terrible effects on our soil. Soil supplies the Earth with food by...

A pollutant is any substance that, when added to the environment, has a negative impact on the environment and the organisms that depend on it for survival. Five types of pollution include water...

Soil pollution is defined as the phenomenon of addition of various harmful chemicals, salts, microorganisms and other toxic substances into the top layer of the soil. Such addition often decreases...

A wrapper from a fast food restaurant blows across the street. Over time, this wrapper flips and turns until it stops next to a building. Over time, dirt and plant matter accumulate to bury this...

Salinity is the word used to refer to the occurrence of soluble salts in soil and water. It is a very general term describing the presence of levels of the different types of salt found such as...

Radon is a radioactive gas released as uranium decays in rocks. The National Cancer Institute calls this gas the second-leading cause of lung-cancer deaths after smoking. Because radon is odorless...

Primarily caused by industrial contamination, land pollution is a global problem. Becoming aware of the many ways that land becomes polluted, and recognizing the harmful effects of land pollution,...

Radon is a radioactive gas formed by natural radioactive elements found in soil, rock and water. The gas can seep through basements and floors and contaminate buildings, posing dangers for people...

Soil pollution, also commonly referred to as soil contamination, is defined as a phenomenon characterized by the loss of structural and biological properties by the soil layers as a result of...

We may not think about having our soil tested, but there are definite reasons to do just that. Our children play in that soil. We plant vegetables in that soil. We walk on it and track it into...

Pollutants given off by various industries and factories are often considered to be one of the prime factors contributing to air, water and soil pollution. According to the Environmental...

Like air and water, soil is essential for life; our food, clothes, and medicines and most of the materials in our homes and cars originated from the soil, either directly or indirectly. Now...

When hiking or camping in the great outdoors, it sometimes becomes necessary to relieve yourself in the absence of bathroom facilities. When this happens, properly disposing of your waste is...

Soil pollution is the addition of toxic and harmful chemicals, salts, microorganisms and radioactive elements to the soil layer. These substances decrease soil fertility by reducing its mineral...

Soil pollution, also commonly known as soil contamination, is a condition that occurs when soil loses its structure, biological properties and chemical properties due to the use of various...

Vacuum degassers work by creating lower pressure inside a vessel so air or other gaseous impurities can be removed from a substance, such as water or even molten steel. The air is siphoned from...

In recent years there has been a growing concern over Radon, exposure to it, and risks it poses to the health of those who are exposed to it. Despite the growing concern, a lot of people might not...

Phosphorous allows plants and animals to grow and function. In animal nutrition---including human nutrition---the element is necessary for strong bones and teeth. In plants and animals alike,...

Plants provide the oxygen humans and other animals need for survival, and people give carbon dioxide to plants. This cycle of life is most evident in the world's rainforests where a large number...

Wetlands are a crucial environmental feature found in almost every part of the world. Unfortunately, many of these beautiful areas are becoming endangered. If children learn about the importance...

Fertile soil is one the world's most important natural resources, and as the population grows and healthy soil becomes scarce, conservation becomes increasingly crucial. Healthy soil is required...