A famous poet once mentioned “The world cannot exist without water.” Yes, water is an important source in this world, all living things are dependent on water to refill the body’s energy. Water is used for various purposes such as cleaning, bathing, washing, drinking, cooking, etc. The article cover types of water pollution and 5 Health effects of water pollution. In this article we will see what are the effects of water pollution?, before that we will see about water and its types.
Human beings keep their body at constant cool temperature. Water is playing an important role in human body health. But many of them don’t know about the importance of water in their healthy life. Lots of people are skipping to drink plenty of water in their daily lives, so they are facing several health issues in the future. Few of them are facing dehydration problems because of drinking water at a poor level. People should add enough water in their daily food diet. This will make a good change in their healthy life.
Water
Water is an inorganic compound and the chemical formula of water is H2o. There is no shape for water and it is tasteless. Water is also odorless, colorless and transparent. Water is neither acidic or basic, because the pH level of water is neutral, that is 7. The pH level of scale ranges from 0 (very acidic) to 14 (very basic). It is normal for water to have a pH level of scale range between 6.5 and 8.5 on the scale.
The earth’s surface is surrounded with 71% water. While 97% of water is found in seas and oceans, only 3% is fresh water available in this world. Of this 3% of water, 79% of water is found in glaciers and ice caps, 29% in groundwater, and 1% as surface water. So of the total, less than 1% of water is drinkable and available for human consumption.
Types of water
- Tap water
- Spring Water
- Mineral Water
- Bottled water
- Well Water
- Distilled Water
- Sparkling Water
- sparkling water
- Hard Water
- Alkaline Water
The above-mentioned water types are commonly used by the people in their daily life, but some other water types are available in this world. Let’s see about the effects of water pollution on human life. Water pollution means the contamination of water sources by substances which make the water not used for drinking, cooking, cleaning, swimming, and other activities. This water pollutant includes chemicals, trash, bacteria, and parasites.
Reason for Water Pollution
- Global warming
- Deforestation
- Industry, agriculture and livestock farming
- Maritime traffic
- Fuel spillages
- Radioactive Waste
Health effects of Water Pollution
Typhoid
One of the familiar fevers is typhoid, most of the people are suffering from this fever. Typhoid fever is most commonly affected by water pollution. Yes, water contains salmonella typhi bacteria, it will encourage the chances of typhoid fever. It is mostly common in rural regions of the country with lack of personal hygiene and sanitation.
Giardiasis
One of the most threatening diseases is Giardiasis due to drinking contaminated water. This water contains a water-borne pathogen known as Giardia Lamblia. This disease mainly affects the people’s small intestines in the body. This is the most common disease caused by water pollution, especially in areas with a lack of sanitation and not maintaining the area in a hygienic way.
Diarrhea
Drinking water with sulfate at levels more than 600 mg/L can cause strong laxative effects, such as diarrhea. Sometimes few people can get used to rich sulfate concentrations in as little as one week. People who are drinking microbiologically contaminated water can transmit diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery. According to the health survey report, every year more than five hundred thousands of people die due to Diarrhea.
Liver and Kidney Failure
People who are drinking water that has been polluted with chemical contaminants, it will affect the organ kidney and liver. Chemical contaminants such as Methyl tert-butyl ether (MTBE) and chlorinated solvents have been linked to affects the organ function. Regularly drinking polluted water is known to cause health issues such as liver inflammation, renal failure, and the formation of kidney stones. Additionally, the chemicals contained in water may affect the other organs and also cause neurological issues, such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Arsenicosis
People who drink chemically contaminated water face Arsenicosis disease because it contains trace quantities of arsenic. Arsenic poisoning is not a single day process, it is a long-term process. Around the world, several millions of people are affected by this issue because they drink arsenic-contaminated water.
Skin issues
People who are bathing in contaminated water can face certain health problems such as swimmer’s itch (skin irritation caused by contact with small larvae called ‘cercarias’, which are found in some lakes’ water). Gastroenteritis. Eye, ear and throat infections.
Bottom LineWater pollution should be reduced in the coming days. So people should be following some prevention steps from today onwards.
Simple Ways to Prevent Water Pollution
- Pick up litter and throw it away in a garbage box or can.
- Please avoid putting fertilizer on the grass right before it rains.
- Please avoid blowing leaves into the street. These leaves will clog and damage storm drains.
- Clean the car or outdoor equipment where it can flow to a gravel or grassy area instead of a street.
- Avoid pouring your motor oil down the storm drain. Better to take it to the nearest auto parts store. It’s free!
- Don’t clean up a spill by hosing it into a storm drain.
- Decrease CO2 emissions to prevent global warming and acidification of the oceans.
- Encouraging organic fertilizer in agriculture will better avoid water pollution.
