Toxic Metals Pollute 15% of Global Farmland, Study Finds

A global study reveals 242 million hectares (15%) of cropland exceed safety limits for arsenic, cadmium, and other toxic metals, exposing up to 1.4 billion people to health risks, The Guardian reported. Cadmium contamination is most severe in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

Pollution stems from natural sources (30%) and human activities like mining (70%), with green technology demand potentially worsening contamination. The most widespread contaminant, cadmium, shows particularly high concentrations across South and East Asia, including China, India and Bangladesh, as well as parts of the Middle East and Africa.

Researchers highlight that these persistent metals reduce crop yields by 10-40% and bioaccumulate in food chains, causing cancers, organ damage, and developmental disorders.