How do fertilizers cause food poisoning?

Question

agreene · Answer

The type of poisoning is dependent upon the type of fertilizer used.
If natural fertilizer is used (ie: manure) then if crops aren't properly washed then some of the contaminates in the manure will cause illness.
If petrochemical based fertilizer is used, then you have two possible issues. 
1. If not washed then petrochemicals can get in to the consumption and VOCs can cause illness.
2. Bio-accumulation can occur where crops (or animals in other nearby farm land) keep the VOCs in their tissues and is then consumed causing the VOCs to be in the human stream causing illness.

I suppose I should point out, VOC is shorthand for Volatile Organic Compounds