Water Pollution: A Deadly Threat To Children's Health

Water pollution is a pressing issue that affects the health of people worldwide, especially children. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 1.7 million children under the age of five die annually from causes linked to polluted environments, including contaminated water. This accounts for more than a quarter of all childhood deaths in that age group. The impact of water pollution on children's health is significant due to their developing organs, immune systems, and smaller bodies, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of dirty water and air. Interventions to improve access to safe drinking water and sanitation are crucial to reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with water pollution in children.

Waterborne pathogens

One of the most well-known waterborne pathogens is E. coli, which can cause severe gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, gas, loss of appetite, dehydration, and decreased energy. Other common waterborne pathogens include Giardia and Cryptosporidium, which can also lead to similar symptoms. These pathogens can be ingested through contaminated water or by coming into contact with feces, making it crucial for children to practice good hygiene and sanitation habits, especially when playing in or around water sources.

Another dangerous waterborne pathogen is Naegleria fowleri, which often enters the body through the nose when children swim or play in contaminated water. This pathogen is known for being almost always fatal, with a very high mortality rate. Adenoviruses are also waterborne pathogens that primarily infect children, causing respiratory illnesses, pneumonia, eye infections, and gastroenteritis. They are highly resistant to UV light treatment, making them challenging to eradicate.

The impact of waterborne pathogens on children's health is significant, with hundreds of thousands of deaths occurring each year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental risks such as unsafe water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene contribute to the deaths of 1.7 million children under the age of five annually. Interventions to increase access to safe drinking water and improve sanitation and hygiene practices are crucial in reducing the morbidity and mortality associated with waterborne pathogens in children.

To prevent infections from waterborne pathogens, it is essential to avoid ingesting contaminated water and to practice good hygiene and sanitation. This includes not swallowing water while swimming, washing hands frequently, and ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water. Additionally, it is important to seek medical attention promptly if any unusual symptoms occur, as early diagnosis and treatment are critical in managing waterborne illnesses.

Poor sanitation

Children are particularly vulnerable to the effects of dirty water due to their developing organs and immune systems, smaller bodies, and airways. They consume more food and water and breathe a greater volume of air per pound of body weight than adults. Additionally, children are more likely to play outdoors and put their hands and other objects in their mouths, increasing their exposure to environmental hazards.

Diarrheal diseases caused by inadequate sanitation, drinking water contaminated with faeces, and poor hygiene are significant contributors to child mortality. In 2013, the UN Deputy Secretary-General issued a call to action, aiming to eliminate open defecation by 2025. While progress has been made, historical rates of improvement need to double to achieve universal coverage with basic sanitation services by 2030. The World Bank estimates that for every $1 spent on sanitation, the return on investment is approximately $9, highlighting the cost-effectiveness of addressing this issue.

The lack of proper sanitation in schools is a critical factor contributing to young girls dropping out of education prematurely. This underscores the importance of sanitation not only in preserving health but also in promoting gender equality and access to education. Furthermore, poor sanitation exacerbates malnutrition, which is an underlying factor in 3 million child deaths annually.

Interventions to increase access to safe drinking water and improve sanitation and hygiene could significantly reduce diarrheal morbidity in children by up to 45%. This includes promoting proper sanitation education and training, as knowledge is vital to tackling this challenge. Additionally, innovative sanitation products, such as the plastic SaTo ("Safe Toilet") series, offer affordable solutions for resource-poor communities, helping to enable access to basic sanitation and hygiene.

Industrial waste

Water pollution is a significant issue that affects the health and well-being of children worldwide. While there are natural causes of water pollution, such as volcanoes, algae blooms, animal waste, and silt from storms and floods, human activities play a significant role in contaminating water sources. Industrial waste, in particular, contributes to the presence of harmful chemicals and pollutants in freshwater systems, leading to detrimental consequences for human health and the environment.

Industries and industrial sites are major contributors to water pollution. These sites produce waste in the form of toxic chemicals and pollutants, and despite regulations, some lack proper waste management systems. In certain cases, untreated or improperly treated industrial waste is discharged into nearby freshwater systems, such as rivers and streams, which eventually flow into the sea. This waste can originate from agricultural sites, mines, and manufacturing plants.

The toxic chemicals in industrial waste pose a severe threat to water quality. They can render water unsafe for human consumption, leading to illnesses and, in severe cases, death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), environmental risks, including unsafe water, claim the lives of 1.7 million children under the age of five every year. Contaminated water, poor sanitation, and inadequate hygiene are significant factors contributing to these tragic deaths.

Moreover, the chemicals in industrial waste can cause temperature changes in freshwater systems, creating an inhospitable environment for many water-dwelling organisms. This disruption in the ecosystem can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the organisms within the water but also those higher up in the food chain, such as birds of prey, as seen in the case of the insecticide DDT.

The impact of industrial waste on water pollution extends beyond the immediate release of toxins. Aging and overwhelmed sewage treatment systems also play a role. In the United States, for example, sewage treatment facilities release billions of gallons of untreated wastewater each year, containing pollutants such as pathogens, phosphorus, nitrogen, heavy metals, and toxic chemicals. This untreated wastewater flows back into waterways, further contaminating them.

To address the issue of water pollution from industrial waste, proper waste management systems must be implemented and enforced. This includes treating industrial wastewater to remove harmful chemicals and pollutants before discharging it into natural water bodies. Additionally, transitioning to cleaner sources of energy and reducing the use of hazardous chemicals in industries can help mitigate the problem. By prioritizing pollution control and implementing sustainable practices, we can work towards ensuring safe and clean water for current and future generations.

Air pollution

Children are more vulnerable to air pollution than adults due to several factors. Firstly, they inhale more air per kilogram of body weight, resulting in a higher relative absorption of pollutants. Secondly, children spend more time outdoors and breathe air closer to the ground, where the concentration of pollutants like dust and vehicle exhaust is higher. Thirdly, children's organs, including the lungs, brains, and immune systems, are still developing, making them more susceptible to the harmful effects of pollutants.

The sources of air pollution that harm children's health include household air pollution, waste-related pollution, traffic-related pollution, landscape fires, secondhand smoke, and dust and sand storms. Household air pollution, caused by cooking with polluting fuels and technologies, is a significant contributor to the high number of child deaths. In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 600,000 children died from acute lower respiratory infections caused by the combined effects of ambient and household air pollution.

The impact of air pollution on children's health can be severe and lifelong. It is linked to respiratory infections, asthma, cognitive developmental issues, and an increased risk of childhood cancer. Exposure to air pollution during pregnancy can also lead to preterm births and low birth weight.

The inequities in the impact of air pollution on children's health are stark. The air pollution-linked death rate in children under five in Africa is 100 times higher than in high-income countries. This highlights the urgent need for global action to reduce air pollution and protect children's health, especially in vulnerable regions.

Unsafe drinking water

Children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of contaminated water due to their developing organs and immune systems, smaller bodies, and higher water consumption relative to their body size. They are at an increased risk of contracting waterborne diseases, such as diarrhoea, which is the most widely known disease linked to unsafe drinking water. In 2021, it was estimated that approximately 1 million people died from diarrhoea caused by unsafe drinking water, sanitation, and hand hygiene issues. This includes 395,000 children under the age of 5, whose deaths could have been prevented by addressing these risk factors.

In addition to diarrhoea, unsafe drinking water can also lead to other diseases such as cholera, typhoid, and polio. These diseases can have devastating consequences for children, causing malnutrition and stunted growth. For example, a study in rural southwestern Uganda found that children from households with unsafe drinking water had higher levels of Environmental Enteric Dysfunction (EED), which is associated with poor growth outcomes and stunting.

The lack of access to safe drinking water also has indirect effects on children's health. Inadequate sanitation and hygiene facilities, often resulting from unsafe water sources, contribute to the spread of diseases. For instance, during a water crisis in Aleppo in 2015, three children were killed while collecting water for their families, highlighting the dangers faced by children in emergency situations. UNICEF's study across 16 nations revealed that children under five are more than 20 times more likely to die from illnesses linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation than from conflict.

Furthermore, unsafe drinking water can lead to economic and educational disadvantages. When water sources are contaminated, families may need to spend more time and effort collecting water from distant sources, reducing their economic productivity. Additionally, children may miss school due to water-related illnesses or the need to help collect water.

Improving access to safe drinking water is crucial to address these issues. This includes providing piped water, public taps, protected wells, and rainwater harvesting systems. By ensuring that all communities have access to clean and safe drinking water, we can significantly reduce the health, economic, and educational risks faced by children worldwide.

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