River Pollution: Human Health At Risk

Water pollution is a pressing issue that poses a significant threat to human health and well-being. It occurs when harmful substances contaminate rivers, lakes, oceans, and other water bodies, degrading water quality and making it unsafe for human consumption and other essential purposes. This paragraph will delve into the impacts of river pollution on humans, serving as an introduction to the broader topic.

River pollution has wide-ranging effects on human health, with contaminated water serving as a conduit for various diseases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 2 billion people worldwide rely on water sources contaminated with faecal matter, exposing them to cholera, hepatitis A, dysentery, and other waterborne illnesses. The impact of river pollution on human health is further exacerbated by the presence of toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and pesticides, which can lead to cancer, cardiovascular issues, and immune system dysfunction. Moreover, river pollution disrupts aquatic ecosystems, leading to the proliferation of harmful algal blooms and the decline of fish populations, which can have indirect consequences for human food sources and economic activities.

The introduction of pollutants into rivers, whether through agricultural runoff, industrial waste, or improper waste disposal, has severe repercussions for human health and the environment. As river pollution continues to worsen, understanding its effects on humans and devising strategies to mitigate this global issue become increasingly crucial.

Diarrhoea, cholera, and other diseases

River pollution can cause a host of health issues for humans, including cholera, giardia, typhoid, and other diarrheal diseases.

In 2016, a cholera outbreak in Uganda was caused by drinking contaminated water from the Cheptui River. The outbreak resulted in two deaths and affected male and female residents of all ages equally.

Similarly, a 2015 study in Bangladesh found that each 10-fold increase in E. coli contamination in drinking water was associated with a 16% increase in diarrhea in children. The study estimated that 17% of diarrhea cases could be attributed to contaminated water.

These examples illustrate the direct impact of river pollution on human health, specifically in causing diarrheal diseases such as cholera.

Diarrhea is a common symptom that can be caused by various infectious agents, including bacteria and viruses. It is often transmitted through contaminated water, food, or respiratory exposure. The impact of river pollution on diarrhea cases is challenging to study due to the multiple routes of exposure and the difficulty in accurately identifying the source of contamination.

However, interventions to improve water quality have consistently shown a positive impact on reducing diarrhea cases. This suggests that while the association between river pollution and diarrhea may be complex, improving water quality can effectively reduce the burden of diarrheal diseases.

Cancer and other health issues

River pollution can have a significant impact on human health, causing a range of diseases and health issues, including cancer. Here are some key ways in which river pollution can contribute to cancer and other health problems:

Cancer Risks

• Arsenic, nitrate, and chromium in drinking water are highly associated with cancer. Arsenic ingestion from drinking water can cause skin, kidney, and bladder cancer.
• Nitrates, commonly found in water due to agricultural pollution, are linked to colorectal cancer, especially in men.
• Hexavalent chromium in drinking water is a known carcinogen, potentially leading to respiratory cancer.
• Chlorinated by-products from water treatment and chlorine disinfection can increase the risk of bladder and rectal cancer.
• Other carcinogens in polluted water include herbicides, pesticides, radionuclides, and fertilisers containing or releasing nitrates.

Other Health Issues

• Waterborne pathogens, including bacteria and viruses from human and animal waste, can cause various diseases such as cholera, giardia, typhoid, hepatitis, and polio.
• Diarrhoea is a common disease caused by water pollution, especially in low-income countries, and can lead to malnutrition and weakened immune systems in children.
• Skin diseases are associated with exposure to polluted water, with high levels of bacteria in seawater and heavy metals in drinking water being key factors.
• Water pollution can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, inhibiting nutrient absorption and leading to malnutrition, especially in children.
• Polluted water used for irrigation can introduce toxins into food, posing risks to human health when consumed.
• Exposure to polluted water during critical periods of development can have long-term effects on health, including height loss in adulthood.
• Water pollution can trigger respiratory infections, especially when swimming in contaminated water.
• Polluted water can affect the nervous system, with potential impacts on brain function.
• Other potential health issues include cardiovascular and kidney problems, altered immune and reproductive system functions, and damage to foetal development.

The impact of river pollution on human health is far-reaching, and addressing these issues through improved water management and pollution control measures is essential to protect public health and reduce the burden of disease worldwide.

Unsafe drinking water

Water pollution can have severe implications for human health. The consumption of contaminated drinking water is linked to various diseases, including cholera, hepatitis A, dysentery, typhoid, and polio. Unsafe drinking water is a leading cause of diarrhoeal diseases, which kill approximately 1.8 million people each year, with children under five accounting for 90% of these deaths. In addition, waterborne pathogens transmitted through contaminated drinking water can cause gastrointestinal illnesses, inhibiting nutrient absorption and leading to malnutrition, especially in children.

The impact of unsafe drinking water on human health extends beyond gastrointestinal issues. For instance, water pollution has been associated with skin diseases, with swimmers in polluted waters experiencing higher rates of skin ailments. Arsenic in drinking water has also been linked to skin cancer, while nitrate contamination may cause goitre in children.

Furthermore, chemical pollutants in drinking water, such as pesticides, fertilizers, and heavy metals, pose serious health risks. Ingesting these toxins can lead to altered brain function, damage to the immune and reproductive systems, and cardiovascular and kidney problems.

The consequences of unsafe drinking water are far-reaching and affect people of all ages, particularly vulnerable groups such as children and those living in rural or low-income areas. Addressing this global challenge requires collective efforts to improve water quality, ensure access to clean drinking water, and promote sustainable practices to protect our precious water resources.

Environmental and economic damage

River pollution has a detrimental impact on the environment and the economy.

Environmental Damage

River pollution can cause the destruction of biodiversity. As water quality deteriorates, aquatic ecosystems are depleted, and the unbridled proliferation of phytoplankton in lakes (known as eutrophication) occurs. Eutrophication is a process that can be accelerated by human activity, leading to the premature aging and death of a body of water.

River pollution also contaminates the food chain. Fishing in polluted waters and using wastewater for livestock farming and agriculture can introduce harmful toxins into the food we eat.

Economic Damage

The World Bank's president, David Malpass, has warned of the economic impact of deteriorating water quality, stating that it "is stalling economic growth and exacerbating poverty in many countries." When the biological oxygen demand—the indicator that measures the organic pollution in water—exceeds a certain threshold, the growth in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the affected regions within the associated water basins falls by a third.

Agricultural yields decrease as the salinity of the water increases, and every year, saltwater spoils enough food to supply 170 million people.

Additionally, the improper disposal of solid waste, such as garbage, rubbish, electronic waste, and construction and demolition waste, can pollute inland bodies of water and eventually make their way to the ocean. This type of pollution is not only unsightly but also damaging to the health of aquatic ecosystems and wildlife.

Furthermore, plastic pollution is a growing concern. Plastic waste generated on land often ends up in the ocean, with several million tons of debris ending up in the world's oceans each year. Plastic pollution can break down into microplastics, which are then consumed by marine life and can make their way up the food chain, potentially harming human health.

Water pollution also affects the availability of potable water. According to the United Nations, billions of people worldwide lack access to clean water for drinking and sanitation, particularly in rural areas. This lack of access to clean water has severe implications for human health and development.

Impact on food sources

River pollution can contaminate food sources, making them unsafe for human consumption. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 1.7 billion people use drinking water sources with faecal contaminants. Contaminated water can contain bacteria that cause diseases such as diarrhoea, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio. According to the WHO, approximately 1.4 million people die each year due to poor sanitation, poor hygiene, or unsafe drinking water.

Water pollution can also lead to eutrophication, a process where elevated nutrient concentrations (especially nitrogen and phosphorus, which are key components of fertilisers) stimulate excessive plant and algae growth. When the algae die, the bacteria produced during their decomposition consume oxygen in the water, creating ""dead zones" where fish cannot survive due to a lack of oxygen. This loss of aquatic life can disrupt the food chain and impact humans who depend on these water sources for sustenance.

Agricultural activities contribute significantly to water pollution. Pesticides, nitrogen fertilisers, and organic farm waste from farming can contaminate water with nitrates, phosphorus, pesticides, soil sediments, salts, and pathogens. The use of untreated or partially treated wastewater for irrigation in water-scarce regions, including parts of China and India, poses risks to environmental and human health. Pesticides, in particular, have been linked to adverse health effects through drinking water. Studies have found a positive correlation between increased pesticide use and a higher medical disability index in the population.

Water pollution caused by industrial activities is another concern for food sources. Various toxic chemicals, organic and inorganic substances, toxic solvents, and volatile organic chemicals may be released during industrial production. Arsenic, cadmium, and chromium are among the vital pollutants discharged in wastewater, and the industrial sector is a significant contributor to harmful pollutants. These contaminants can enter the food chain, posing risks to human health.

Frequently asked questions