Water contamination is highly problematic and can have dire consequences for human health. Contaminant exposure can lead to several chronic diseases, including cancer, congenital disabilities, and neurological disorders. In developing countries, the issue worsens because folks depend on water sources that the government doesn’t watch over.
However, even developed countries can face the contamination problem. At least 45% of the US tap water has one or more types of chemicals classified as PFAS. There are more than 12,000 varieties of PFAS, and not all can be detected by tests available today.
In this post, we explore the risks associated with drinking contaminated water. We will also go through the steps being taken to address this issue.
Table of Contents
Understanding Water Contamination
Water contamination means that harmful or unwanted stuff gets into the water sources. This makes it unsafe for its intended use, such as drinking, bathing, or irrigation. Contaminants can come from various sources and may include multiple substances, including chemicals, microorganisms, and particulate matter.
Understanding water contamination is crucial for public health, environmental protection, and ensuring access to clean and safe aqua for all.
Here are some key aspects to consider when understanding water contamination:
Sources of Contamination:
- Natural sources: Some contaminants, such as minerals, heavy metals, and microorganisms, occur naturally in water. For example, arsenic and fluoride can be naturally present in groundwater.
- Human activities: Contaminants from human activities, such as industrial discharges, agriculture, mining, sewage, and improper waste disposal, can find their way into aqua bodies.
- Urban runoff: Rainwater runoff from urban areas can carry pollutants like oil, heavy metals, and pesticides into rivers and lakes.
Types of Contaminants:
- Microbiological: Bacteria, viruses, and parasites can cause waterborne diseases.
- Chemical: Chemical contaminants include heavy metals (lead, mercury), pesticides, industrial chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.
- Physical: These contaminants involve particles, sediments, and debris that may make water aesthetically unpleasing or hinder its use.
Many contaminants can be present in the water. However, the problem arises when these contaminants increase beyond the safe levels. For instance, the EPA standard for nitrate in drinking water is 10 milligrams per liter. Thus, the water is safe until nitrates are present within the levels.
However, if the water has nitrate levels of more than 10 milligrams per liter, that’s when the problem starts. Therefore, it is advisable to use water purifiers to minimize the chances of drinking contaminated aqua.
Real-Life Examples
People exposed to contaminated water have faced several health complications. You can also find various lawsuits around exposure to contaminated aqua.
Camp Lejeune
One of the most recently emerging examples of how water contamination exposure results in varied health concerns is that of Camp Lejeune. A marine base in North Carolina, Camp Lejeune’s water supply was toxic between 1953 and 1987.
According to TorHoerman Law, the supplied water was found to have tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene, benzene, and numerous other contaminants. Exposure to these contaminants caused various health problems among exposed veterans and their family members.
Some of the major health concerns include different forms of cancer, infertility in women, neurobehavioral effects in children, etc. Veterans, their family members, or staff who were exposed to the contaminated water and developed health problems are now filing lawsuits.
Through a Camp Lejeune water contamination lawsuit, an exposed individual seeks justice and compensation. The plaintiffs allege that the government’s negligence caused them a lot of trouble. Hence, they want compensation for their suffering and medical expenses.
Flint, Michigan
The water problem in Flint, Michigan, is a big disaster for public health and the environment that started in 2014 and is known by many. The crisis resulted in residents’ exposure to unsafe lead levels and other contaminants in their aqua.
In 2014, Flint’s officials decided to switch its water source. The water used to come from the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) earlier. However, the Flint River was decided to be the new source of water. This was a measure taken to save costs in water supply. However, the Flint River was more corrosive than the DWSD water.
The harsh Flint River water made lead come out of old lead pipes and plumbing in many homes and businesses. Lead is a highly toxic substance, especially harmful to children, and exposure can lead to serious health problems, including developmental and cognitive issues.
Citizens of Flint, Michigan, who were exposed to the contaminated water, have already filed lawsuits. However, even after nine years, the cases are still pending. The plaintiffs say that it has been nine years, but there has been no justice yet.
Health Implications of Water Contamination
Water contamination can have a wide range of health implications. It can result in short-term symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting or long-term issues like cancer.
Contaminated water is a significant source of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid, dysentery, and hepatitis A. These diseases can cause symptoms ranging from mild gastrointestinal distress to severe dehydration and death.
Bacterial and viral contaminants in water can also lead to symptoms like diarrhea, vomiting, stomach cramps, and nausea. These can be especially dangerous for those with weakened immune systems.
Water with harmful bacteria like E. coli can give you infections with many different symptoms. Similarly, protozoan parasites like Giardia and Cryptosporidium can cause long-lasting gastrointestinal illnesses when ingested through contaminated water. These parasites are resistant to many water treatment methods.
Schistosomiasis is also a condition that can be caused by exposure to contaminated water. According to the World Health Organization, around 251.4 million individuals had to get preventative treatment for that disease. Parasitic worms cause the disease.
Future Challenges and Solutions
To combat the growing threat of water contamination, there are many things you can do. First and foremost, pesticide use in agriculture should be reduced. Data shows that almost 3.5 million tonnes of active pesticide ingredients were used in 2021. This will help you fight against contamination before it occurs and keep the food safe from harmful chemicals.
Next, you need to improve detection and treatment technologies. This is so that when contaminants are detected in drinking water supplies, they can be removed quickly enough that they don’t cause harm.
If you are using wells for water, you should also get better monitoring systems. This will help you monitor the signs of contamination in the well. Finally, there’s a need for public awareness about these risks.
Conclusion
Water pollution is a significant danger to people’s health, and we have to deal with it right away. The good news is that we already have the tools to solve this problem. We need our government officials and community leaders to act before it’s too late. Stay with Actualnetworth.com for more updates.
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People Also Ask:
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What are the consequences of water contamination on human health?
Water contamination can lead to chronic diseases like cancer, congenital disabilities, and neurological disorders.
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How does water contamination occur in developed countries?
Even in developed countries, water contamination can happen, with at least 45% of US tap water containing PFAS chemicals.
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What are some real-life examples of water contamination’s impact on health?
Camp Lejeune and Flint, Michigan, are notable cases where water contamination caused various health problems, including cancer and lead exposure.
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What are the health implications of waterborne diseases from contaminated water?
Dirty water can cause many health problems, like tummy troubles and even more severe diseases like cholera and hepatitis A.
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What solutions exist to address water contamination and protect human health?
Solutions include reducing pesticide use in agriculture, improving detection and treatment technologies, enhancing healthy monitoring systems, and raising public awareness about contamination risks.