More than 520 chemicals found in English soil, including long-banned medical substances

"Research by scientists at the University of Leeds, published as a preprint in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, found a worrying array of chemicals in English soils. Close to half (46.4%) of the pharmaceutical substances detected had not been reported in previous global monitoring campaigns. The anticonvulsants lamotrigine and carbamazepine were among the human-use medicines reported for the first time in English soils."

"Water companies treat human faeces and remove some of the contaminants from wastewater at their treatment centres. The resulting product is treated biosolids, the organic matter from the human waste, and this is often disposed of by being spread on fields as fertiliser. However, it appears that despite decontamination, hundreds of chemicals are leaching into the soil and in some cases staying there for many years. Several chemicals banned or withdrawn from use decades ago were found to persist in agricultural soils."

"Some of the chemicals were banned for use decades ago and their presence suggests that they are really persistent so soils are a long-term sink of these pollutants. It is possible these chemicals will enter the food chain and be ingested by humans who eat food grown in these fields, she said. It could also harm farm productivity if the chemicals inhibit plant growth or negatively affect soil health."

More than 520 chemicals were detected in English soils, including pharmaceuticals, toxins and substances banned decades ago. Nearly half (46.4%) of pharmaceutical compounds identified had not been reported in previous global monitoring. Anticonvulsants lamotrigine and carbamazepine were recorded in English soils for the first time. Emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals and other chemicals lacking widespread environmental or health study, are a particular concern. Treated biosolids from wastewater treatment are commonly spread on fields as fertiliser, and hundreds of chemicals appear to leach into and persist in soils for years. Persistent legacy chemicals remain in agricultural soils and could enter the food chain, harm plant growth, and impair soil health.

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