The Effects of Water Pollution on Health
The Health Risks of Water Pollution and Protecting Against Them
Sep 14, 2009
Water contamination is commonly associated with starving children in developing nations; however it is also a rising problem in the United States and other developed countries. Due to failures of companies to meet environmental regulations pollutants and harmful metals are entering the country’s drinking water.
Conditions Caused by Pollution or Water Contamination
Many diseases caused by water contamination go un-noticed because the effects take months or years to materialize. A high incidence of conditions such as specific types of cancer or miscarriages can be an indicator of regional pollution.
The following conditions all have potential causes of specific types of pollution. If an area has both a high occurrence of the condition and the water contains high levels of any of the chemicals or minerals associated with it then pollution or other contamination may be an underlying culprit.
Cancer
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Lead
- Manganese
- Tetrachloroethylene (Dry Cleaning Solvent)
- Copper
- Zinc
- Chlorine
- Selenium
- Chromium
- Beryllium
- Nickel
- Radon
- Radium
Kidney Damage & Organ Failure
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Lead
- Manganese
- Tetrachloroethylene (Dry Cleaning Solvent)
- Selenium
- Chromium
- Beryllium
- Nickel
Nervous Damage
- Arsenic
- Barium
- Lead
- Manganese
- Copper
- Zinc
- Chlorine
- Selenium
Tooth Decay
- Lead
- Nickel
- Heavy Metals
Skin Irritation
- Lead
- Nickel
- Heavy Mentals
Infection
- Animal Feces
Birth Defects and Fertility Problems (Male and Female)
- Pesticides
Susceptibility to H1N1 (Swine Flu)
- Arsenic
"Swine Flu Susceptibility Linked to Arsenic Exposure", Josh Hamilton, undated, 2009.
Based on Courtney D. Kozul, Kenneth H. Ely, Richard I. Enelow, and Joshua W. Hamilton. Low Dose Arsenic Compromises the Immune Response to Influenza A Infection in vivo. Environ Health Perspect. doi: 10.1289/ehp.0900911.
Areas of High Risk
Homes that are within the catchment of large farms, cities, coal mines, industrial plants, and other sources of pollution are particularly susceptible to contamination. In the US, people living within these areas should check the Environmental Protection Agency’s report on the water quality of that system. The report includes a history of a water system’s violations and the types of contaminant found there. Alternatively, any house’s water can be tested for a reasonably low price depending on the testing company.
Signs of Contamination
It is possible to spot signs of water contamination before health defects set in. Pipe damage, chemical build up around taps and sinks, discolored water, and bad smelling or tasting water are all signs of pollution. Some of these can be filtered out with an inexpensive filter, while others will need a more expensive filter which removes finer particles. It is important to test the water before installing a filter as buying the wrong type of filter can be costly, ineffective, and eventually dangerous.
Some contamination may be so extreme that home filtration is not effective. In such cases it is important to switch to bottled water to prevent tooth decay, digestive problems, skin irritation and other acute health problems. If there are any pets in the household they should also receive bottled water if the pollution level is extreme enough to cause skin damage.
What to Do in Situations of Unlawful Pollution
If a household or an area has been severely harmed through a company’s actions and failure to prevent harmful chemicals reaching the drinking water then they should seek legal action. Samples should be taken from the house or houses and all residents should switch to bottled water until the water has been declared safe to drink.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency is charged with the task of protecting American citizens from pollution and contamination in their drinking water. The Clean Water Act was designed to do just this.
BNC101
