7 Ways Contaminated Water Can Be A Health Hazard 

Clean water is a fundamental and irreplaceable resource with paramount importance for both human well-being and the environment. Access to safe drinking water is a fundamental human right, but unfortunately, contaminated water sources still pose significant health hazards in many parts of the world. It is a hidden danger that hides below the surface and poses a serious risk to public health. 

While we frequently take access to clean water for granted, the effects of its pollution can be serious and widespread. In this article, we will explore seven ways contaminated water can be a health hazard.

1.    Waterborne Diseases

Cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and hepatitis A are just a few of the many waterborne illnesses that can spread through contaminated water. Microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, all of which thrive heavily in this filthy water, are the cause of these diseases.

These pathogens can cause havoc on our health by constantly attacking our digestive system. Constipation, severe dehydration, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort all signal distress. These illnesses also have the potential to become life-threatening in their most severe forms. For example, untreated cholera can quickly lead to severe dehydration, shock, and death.

These waterborne illnesses can become widespread in areas with a lack of clean water, creating a cycle of misery and complications.

2.    Chemical Contaminants

Chemicals can enter the water supply through industrial runoff, agricultural pesticides, and incorrect disposal of dangerous substances. 

One example is the US Camp Lejeune water contamination case, where residents and military personnel were exposed to harmful substances like trichloroethylene and perchloroethylene due to poor waste disposal techniques. Now, people who spent at least 30 days residing or working at Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, and experienced health issues are qualified to submit Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Claims and demand financial aid more than what the Veterans Affairs Office offers.

Some of these chemicals have even been linked to cancer, so exposure to them can result in a variety of health problems. The delicate hormonal balance in our bodies can also be upset by pesticides and industrial pollutants, which can result in developmental disorders, reproductive problems, and even fertility concerns. 

3.    Heavy Metal Poisoning

Certain water sources harbor a hidden danger in the form of heavy metals such as lead, arsenic, and mercury. These metals find their way into our drinking water through industrial pollution or naturally occurring deposits, posing a significant health risk to those exposed. Prolonged consumption of water filled with these heavy metals can result in a condition known as heavy metal poisoning.

For instance, lead is known for having dire consequences, especially for children. Exposure to lead can cause behavioral problems, developmental delays, and cognitive impairments, even at low levels of exposure. Adults who have been exposed to lead may experience neurological issues, kidney problems, or cardiovascular issues. 

4.    Microplastics

The tiny plastic particles known as microplastics have become a major hazard to our water supplies, mostly as a result of the widespread use of plastics.

The capacity of microplastics to absorb and concentrate dangerous poisons and chemicals from their environment is one of the most worrisome elements. These ingested substances can include endocrine-disrupting chemicals, insecticides, and heavy metals. Aquatic species that consume microplastics can unintentionally transmit these dangerous materials into the food chain.

Furthermore, there is growing concern that microplastics in seafood and water may disturb the digestive system and perhaps release toxic substances into human bodies.

5.    Parasitic Infections

By hosting parasite organisms like Giardia and Cryptosporidium, contaminated water creates the conditions for potentially fatal and crippling health effects. Giardia or Cryptosporidium-contaminated water can cause severe gastrointestinal infections indicated by diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. These symptoms, especially in those at risk, like newborns and young children, can quickly worsen into a dangerous cycle of dehydration and starvation.

It is difficult to get rid of them from water supplies because they can develop resilient cysts that can withstand harsh environmental conditions and even chlorine-based water disinfection processes.

6.    Algal Blooms

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a menace in the area of water contamination. Some HABs can create cyanotoxins, which can contaminate our water supplies and pose serious risks to the health of people.

These pollutants may cause chronic health concerns since they have been connected to liver and kidney damage. Acute symptoms from cyanotoxin ingestion include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Individuals can be in danger even from leisure activities like swimming or boating in contaminated waterways since cyanotoxins can enter the body through the skin and could cause skin rashes and irritation.

Moreover, people who live close to contaminated bodies of water run the danger of respiratory problems from inhaling aerosolized cyanotoxins, which are harmful to their health.

7.    Antibiotic Resistance

In addition to the numerous health problems currently associated with contaminated water, this new danger is the spread and growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. This phenomenon poses a grave threat to public health by undermining our ability to effectively tackle infectious diseases. 

These bacteria thrive in water sources that have been contaminated by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a result of the misuse and inappropriate disposal of antibiotics in home, healthcare, and agricultural settings. These microorganisms, also referred to as superbugs, can survive in water systems and can infect people through ingestion, leisure, or agricultural runoff.

It becomes more and more difficult to treat people who have these superbug infections with standard medications. This reduces the power of our arsenal against infectious diseases, making previously curable infections potentially fatal. Risks are increased for vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, and people with weakened immune systems.

Conclusion

Contaminated water is one of the many complex environmental problems facing society today, endangering people’s health. Our water sources contain a wide range of serious risks, such as heavy metals, microplastics, antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and waterborne diseases. However, these hazards can be reduced with information, awareness, and teamwork. Not only is access to clean, safe water a fundamental human right, but it is also the foundation of well-being. Its cleanliness must be preserved through effective water treatment, strict pollution control, and prudent resource management.