Potential Health Risk Associated with Application of Organic Amendments

Author: Siyaram Meena, Atma Ram Meena, Atmaram Chobhe, Chinmayee Behera and Ravi Saini

Download PDF

Abstract

Application of organic-amendments in soil is an age-old practice for supplying nutrients to the crops. Organic amendments (animal slurry, manure, compost, and sewage sludge) provide vital nutrients to the soil besides increasing its organic matter content, improved soil structure, better physical condition and promotes microbial populations. Along with the benefits, use of organic amendments can result in possible risks and threats to human health due to presence of several contaminants. These organic amendments may contain organic pollutants, heavy metal (oids), pathogens and other contaminants. These contaminants impose risks to human health which can be reduced by treatment of these amendments before application. Apart from sewage and sludge, other sources like manures are ensured to be applied to the soils at right rate, time and place. But still, there is a need to develop effective measures to reduce the hazards involved with the application of organic amendments while getting all the benefits. Therefore, the main objective of this paper is to review all the possible health hazards due to application of organic amendments to the soil and recommending improved management practices which ensure least contamination of food or water resources.

Keywords

Organic amendments, sewage, contaminants, human health

Conclusion

Organic amendments not only make good use of often-limited nutrient supplies, but they may also mitigate the adverse changes in soil conditions caused by faulty crop production techniques. Essential nutrients, as well as useful organic compounds, may be found in materials that are commonly thought of as waste. However, the most of organic amendments, sewage biosolids and animal manures, have contaminants that make it hazardous for human and animal health. While nutrients are necessary for healthy agricultural development, they can also pose a direct or indirect harm to human health if present in excessive quantity. Heavy metal and metalloids, organic pollutants, antibiotics, pathogenic bacteria and viruses are the major contaminants in organic amendments. Enteric pathogens such as helminthic worms, protozoa, and viruses are commonly found in animal faeces, and these pathogens can infect both farm animals and humans through contaminated feed, water supplies, and waste. There are few of improved management practices which ensure that these harmful substances cannot contaminate food or water resources. But still, there is a need to develop effective techniques to reduce the hazards involved with application of organic amendments to agricultural soil.

References

-

How to cite this article

Siyaram Meena, Atma Ram Meena, Atmaram Chobhe, Chinmayee Behera and Ravi Saini (2023). Potential Health Risk Associated with Application of Organic Amendments. Biological Forum – An International Journal, 15(2): 852-860.