- Soil filters and purifies much of the water we drink.
- Protecting soil from erosion helps reduce the amount of dust we breathe.
- There are many microorganisms in soil that have given us life-saving medications, including the antibiotic called streptomycin and the medication named cyclosporine.
- Unfortunately, soils can also be a source of disease.
- Lead in soil from chipped lead paint can be a danger to children who play in mud and dirt.
- Disease-causing microorganisms such as the bacterium that causes tetanus can be found in soil.
LEARN MORE: http://www.fao.org/soils-2015/en
