Colby Behr

UF 300
03/16/2015
The use of fertilizers
Food pollution is a rising epidemic all around the word. There are many causes of
food pollution: the improper use of fertilizers, growing food in contaminated dirt, contaminated
water or air, the use of pesticides and insecticides, improper processing and packaging.
Fertilizers have had a big impact when it comes to food pollution. Fertilizers were designed to
increase overall yields without compromising future crops. The purpose of the increased yields is
to contend with the higher need of resources for our ever growing human population.
Human-made fertilizers were invented in 1908 by Fritz Haber. He used a process
now called the Haber process, in which he heated and pressurized nitrogen and hydrogen to get
ammonia, ammonia nitrate and, urea.(Cornell) Urea is compound made with carbon, hydrogen,
and nitrogen, it is a result of proteins metabolizing. The nitrogen plays key role in plant growth.
The use of fertilizers has greatly increased over the years. More specifically the use of nitrogen
fertilizers has increased by a large percentage. Just over 4000 tons of nitrogen fertilizers were
used in 1965 which increased to about 12,000 tons in 2011 (Phillpott). The process Haber used is
still the same today however, most fertilizers have combined phosphates and potash to increase
overall plant yield.
The environmental impact of the use of fertilizers has future implications on the source of
food pollutions. According to the EPA fertilizers have a profound effect on the bodies of water in
close proximity of use. If improperly managed, elements of fertilizer can move into surface
water through field runoff or leach into ground water. The real concern is the effects the

nitrogen and the phosphates. If improperly used or used in a greater quantity then needed these
nitrates and phosphates find their way into the ground water polluting it. These nitrates can stay
in ground water for years and will have higher concentrations as more nitrates are added. The
leakage of these contaminates is also known as leaching (Pollution). This can have a negative
affect with drinking water in the area. This also leads to increase in algae populations in certain
areas making water life nonexistent.
Another process known as denitrification is another potential threat to our food and the
environment. Denitrification is the process in which contaminates leave the ground enter the air.
This now nitrous oxide increases the amount of greenhouse gases emitted in to the air. The
University of Berkeley conducted a study and found Since the year 1750, nitrous oxide levels
have risen 20 percent from below 270 parts per billion (ppb) to more than 320 ppb. After
carbon dioxide and methane, nitrous oxide (N2O) is the most potent greenhouse gas, trapping
heat and contributing to global warming. These gases have adverse health effects in humans as
well.
The soil in which the fertilizers are placed on change due to the new chemical
compounds found in the fertilizers. There are several microorganisms that live in the soil before
the application of the fertilizers. These organisms break down plant animal material and convert
it to something the plant can use. Another role these organisms play is natural insecticides for
plants. The soil loses it natural ability to grow plats due to fertilizers. The structural integrity of
the soil is lost and cant hold water or air and it takes six weeks for it to regain these qualities
(Corriher).
There are many ways in which these factors affect human health both directly and
indirectly. One of the major concerns is the way these fertilizers have affected our drinking

water. Utilizing these nitrogen based fertilizers increase nitrates levels in our drinking water.
Methemoglobinemia is one condition caused by the use of fertilizers. This occurs in infants it
reduces the amount of oxygen the blood is carrying and has a potential to be fatal. Other health
effects of this disease are seizures, coma, skeletal abnormalities, discoloration of the skin, and
mental retardation (EPA).
Organic foods are grown more naturally then inorganic foods. They often use natural
fertilizers and pesticides to help prevent pollution and conserve the integrity of the soil. This
process has greatly shown the difference between natural and artificial fertilizers. A study
conducted by Newcastle University states that organically grown food contains up to 69% more
antioxidants then food grown with man-made fertilizers. There is a negative correlation between
the amount of antioxidants found in our bodies and the risk of certain diseases. Antioxidants
reduce the risk of some cancers, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Another study has shown that organically grown foods have a reduced amount of heavy metal
toxins inside of them. A 50% reduction of heavy metals was found in organically grown food
(Henderson). Acute heavy metal intoxications may damage central nervous function, the
cardiovascular and gastrointestinal (GI) systems, lungs, kidneys, liver, endocrine glands, and
bones (Heavy Metal Detoxification)
The use of fertilizers have a negative influence on both our bodies and on the
environment around us. These affects can have a critical impact on our future. There are several
alternatives to using man-made fertilizers. One possible solution is to switch to organic foods
however; this usually cost more due to yields not being as high as a crop grown with man-made
fertilizers. Another option is to switch to natural fertilizers such as cow manure. A third option is
to better regulate and enforce the application process of man-made fertilizers. Instead of buying

from a grocery store foods could be grown at home, making higher yields a less of a priority in
our current agricultural system. Any of these solutions have potential to alleviate the stress put on
our environment and provide health benefits for our bodies.

Work Cited
Conell, Joesph. "Fertilizer." Fertilizer. 24 July 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
Corriher, Thomas. "How Chemical Fertilizers Are Destroying Your Body, The Soil, and
Your Food." How Chemical Fertilizers Are Destroying Your Body, The Soil, and
Your Food. Healthwyzereport. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
"Heavy Metal Detoxification." LifeExtension.com. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
Henderson, Tony. "Newcastle University Study Proves Organic Food Is Better for You Cornucopia Institute." Cornucopia Institute RSS. 11 July 2014. Web. 17 Mar.
2015.
"Managing Agricultural Fertilizer Application to Prevent Contamination of Drinking
Water." EPA.org. 1 Aug. 2010. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
Philpott, Tom. "A Brief History of Our Deadly Addiction to Nitrogen Fertilizer." Mother
Jones. 19 Apr. 2013. Web. 17 Mar. 2015.
"Pollution (Water, Air, Chemicals)." Pollution (Water, Air, Chemicals). Web. 17 Mar.
2015.
Sanders, Robert. "Fertilizer Use Responsible for Increase in Nitrous Oxide in
Atmosphere." UC Berkeley NewsCenter. Newscenter, 4 Apr. 2012. Web. 17 Mar.
2015.