Overview

• A comprehensive study published in *Science* confirms that 14–17% of global cropland is contaminated with toxic heavy metals, such as cadmium, arsenic, and lead, exceeding safe thresholds.
• The research, based on nearly 800,000 soil samples analyzed using machine learning, identifies a 'metal-rich corridor' spanning from northern Italy to southeastern China.
• Approximately 900 million to 1.4 billion people live in areas affected by contaminated soils, with significant health risks including cancer, organ damage, and developmental disorders.
• Cadmium is the most widespread toxic metal, with high concentrations in South and East Asia, parts of the Middle East, and Africa, driven by both natural processes and human activities like mining and fertilizer use.
• The study highlights the long-term persistence of heavy metals in soil and calls for coordinated international efforts, including remediation strategies and improved data collection in under-sampled regions like Africa.