Contaminated Water: A Slow Poison For Humans

Contaminated water can have a severe impact on human health. According to the World Health Organization, unsafe water causes about 829,000 deaths each year, including 297,000 children under the age of five. Contaminated water can be classified into two categories: microbes and chemicals. Microbes (such as bacteria and parasites) often cause immediate effects, such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery. On the other hand, chemicals (especially heavy metals like arsenic, lead, and mercury) can build up in our internal organs over time, leading to long-term effects, including serious damage to the kidney, liver, bone, and brain.

Contaminated water can cause immediate health issues, such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery

Cholera is an intestinal infection caused by the Vibrio cholerae bacterium, which is often found in contaminated water or food. It can cause extreme watery diarrhoea, vomiting, and leg cramps. Cholera can be fatal if left untreated, as it may lead to rapid dehydration, septic shock, kidney failure, and death within hours. Young children are particularly vulnerable to cholera due to their weaker immune systems and higher risk of dehydration.

Typhoid fever is caused by the Salmonella bacteria, which can be contracted through contaminated food and water or close contact with an infected person. It is a serious health threat, especially in places with poor sanitation and lack of access to clean water, such as in Africa and South Asia. Symptoms of typhoid fever include fever, weakness, fatigue, constipation or diarrhoea, cough, loss of appetite, and sweating. Complications can include damage and bleeding in the intestines, sepsis, inflammation of the heart muscle, and psychiatric problems.

Dysentery is a gastrointestinal infection caused by bacteria or parasites in contaminated food or water. It leads to abdominal pain, cramping, loose and bloody stools, fever, nausea, and vomiting. There are two main types of dysentery: bacillary dysentery, caused by Shigella bacteria, and amoebic dysentery, caused by the Entamoeba histolytica parasite. Bacillary dysentery is the most common type and spreads through contaminated food or water, contact with the feces of an infected person, or touching contaminated surfaces. Amoebic dysentery is more common in tropical areas of developing countries and can spread through contaminated food or drinks, or by touching contaminated surfaces or the feces of an infected person.

Prompt treatment is essential for all three diseases. Cholera and dysentery can be treated with oral rehydration solutions and antibiotics, while typhoid fever typically requires antibiotics.

Long-term exposure to contaminated water can lead to kidney, liver, bone, and brain damage

Contaminated water can have serious long-term effects on the kidneys, liver, bones, and brain. While the immediate effects of contaminated water are often associated with microbial contamination, such as cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery, long-term exposure to certain contaminants can lead to organ damage.

Kidney Damage

The kidneys are vulnerable to damage from various contaminants in water, including heavy metals and specific solvents. For example, long-term exposure to high levels of the solvents trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) has been associated with acute tubular toxicity and increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Studies have shown that TCE and PCE can cause renal tubular cell damage and acute renal tubular necrosis, leading to impaired reabsorption of solutes like glucose, protein, and water.

Liver Damage

Heavy metals such as arsenic, lead, and cadmium can accumulate in the body over time and lead to liver damage. Arsenic, in particular, is a contaminant that has been linked to an increased risk of liver cancer. Additionally, cadmium poisoning can result in kidney damage, which in turn affects liver function as the liver and kidneys work together to filter and eliminate toxins from the body.

Bone Damage

Environmental toxins, including heavy metals like cadmium, lead, and mercury, as well as chemicals like pesticides, phthalates, and bisphenols, have been identified as significant contributors to bone loss and osteoporosis. These toxins disrupt bone metabolism in various ways, such as impairing kidney functions, inhibiting bone formation, and increasing bone resorption. For example, cadmium poisoning can lead to hypercalciuria, a condition where the body excretes too much calcium in the urine, resulting in bone loss. Lead exposure, on the other hand, decreases the formation of bone-building cells (osteoblasts) and facilitates bone removal by stimulating osteoclast activity.

Brain Damage

While there is limited direct evidence linking contaminated water to brain damage, certain contaminants have been associated with neurological issues. For instance, lead exposure has been linked to lower IQ scores, especially in children. Additionally, arsenic exposure has been associated with lower IQ scores and fetal malformations, indicating potential neurological impacts.

Microbes in contaminated water, such as bacteria and parasites, often cause immediate health issues

Contaminated water can be classified into two categories: microbes and chemicals. Microbes, such as bacteria and parasites, often cause immediate health issues.

Bacteria, protozoa, and viruses can enter the body through the consumption of contaminated water. Many of these are pathogens, which can lead to hospitalisation within a few hours of ingestion.

Some harmful microbes present in contaminated water include Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and E. coli. Cryptosporidium and Giardia are protozoan parasites that spread through eggs laid on faecal contamination, which then seeps into bodies of water and the water supply. They may cause severe diarrhoea and dehydration. E. coli may be produced by humans or infected animals and can enter the water supply through sewage leaks or agricultural runoffs. It produces strong toxins that cause serious illness.

The immediate health effects of contaminated water can include the contraction of cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery. These illnesses can cause symptoms such as fever, diarrhoea, constipation, stomach cramps, and pain. In severe cases, they can even lead to death.

To prevent the spread of these waterborne illnesses, it is important to maintain proper sanitation and hygiene practices. This includes regularly testing water sources for contaminants, practising good personal hygiene, such as frequent handwashing, and ensuring the safe disposal of human and animal waste.

Heavy metals in water, such as arsenic, lead, and mercury, can accumulate in internal organs over time

Heavy metal contamination in water is a pressing global concern, with metals such as arsenic, lead, and mercury entering water sources through natural geological processes or human activities. While these metals may not have immediate effects on the body, they can accumulate in internal organs over time, leading to severe health issues.

The human body cannot discharge these heavy metals, and they continue to amass inside the body, primarily affecting the brain. The buildup of these metals in the body leads to chronic toxicity, disrupting normal cellular functions and causing organ damage. Specifically, arsenic, lead, and mercury can cause damage to the nervous system, kidneys, liver, and other vital organs. They are also known as carcinogens, increasing the risk of cancer, including skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancer.

Young children are more susceptible to the harmful effects of heavy metals as their bodies are still developing. The continuous accumulation of these metals in children's bodies can affect their nervous system, leading to learning difficulties, memory impairment, and behavioural issues such as aggression and hyperactivity.

The presence of heavy metals in water is often undetectable by the naked eye, but water tests can identify them. To protect human health, it is crucial to implement measures to reduce exposure to these metals and to prioritize interventions and allocate resources effectively to address the identified health risks.

Contaminated water can contain harmful chemicals, such as chlorine and disinfection by-products, which can have adverse health effects

DBPs can cause irritation to the eyes, upper respiratory tract, and lungs. Higher levels of chlorine may cause vomiting and chest pain. Chlorine's strong cell-kill properties may also affect human cells, including DNA mutation. DBPs may also cause cell mutation or trigger a strong autoimmune response.

The World Health Organization (WHO) regards disinfection of drinking water as one of the most important advances in public health. However, the potential harmful effects of DBPs should be considered, and the amount of exposure from other sources, such as processed foods and beverages, should be taken into account.

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