What Is The Influence of Synthetic Fertilizers on the Air?

Spring is here and all around the world people are planting seeds and growing things – flowers, vegetables, fruit trees and vines, farmers grow wheat and corn and soy – everything is coming into bloom. It is a glorious time of year, full of the beginnings of life. But the fertilizer used to help this new growth has been called into question. Manure and natural composts are not the problems. These organic compounds are known to increase soil’s fertility, keep soil hydrated, and prevent soil erosion. Organic fertilizers have nitrogen and other nutrients that enliven plant growth, and protect new growth from disease and the threat of weeds. It is synthetic fertilizer that is the issue.

Synthetic fertilizer contains phosphorous, which creates algae in ponds and lakes, that can kill fish by removing the oxygen from the water. Phosphates and nitrates, which are components of synthetic fertilizer, contaminate water, rendering it undrinkable. And a byproduct of synthetic fertilizer, oxidized nitrogen, increases smog in the air. This can cause respiratory illness and more asthma in children and adults who ordinarily do not have these issues, plus aggravating respiratory problems in people who already suffer with them.

With the air already polluted by car emissions, factory gasses, and burning coal, synthetic fertilizer adds insult to injury. It significantly increases the risk of emphysema and other serious, and sometimes fatal, respiratory illnesses. One need never smoke anymore to get lung cancer these days. One need only go outside and take a deep breath.

More and more people are abandoning synthetic fertilizer and going organic. Collecting compost, using mown grass cuttings, and natural manure, grow far healthier plants and do not pose a risk to your health.

For more information about manatees and manatee tours, visit Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees website.

References: