One-sixth of the planet’s cropland has toxic levels of one or more metals

One-sixth of the planet’s cropland has toxic levels of one or more metals

A review of tens of thousands of soil samples from Earth reveals high concentrations of arsenic, cadmium, and lead in the pedosphere

About 15% of world’s cropland polluted with toxic metals, say researchers

Scientists sound the alarm over substances such as arsenic and lead contaminating soils and entering food systemsAbout one sixth of global cropland is contaminated by toxic heavy metals, researchers have estimated, with as many as 1.4 billion people living in high-risk areas worldwide.Approximately 14 to 17% of cropland globally – roughly 242m hectares – is contaminated by at least one toxic metal such as arsenic, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, copp…