Water Pollution's Impact On The United States' Health

Water pollution is a critical issue in the United States, with far-reaching consequences for human health, the environment, and the economy. The contamination of water sources by various pollutants, including agricultural runoff, sewage, garbage, plastics, and chemical waste, poses significant risks to the country's water systems and the people who depend on them. This complex problem has a range of sources and impacts, from industrial and agricultural activities to the release of toxic chemicals, which will be explored further in this article.

Sewage and wastewater

Sources of Sewage and Wastewater

Treatment of Sewage and Wastewater

The collection and treatment of sewage and wastewater are crucial for maintaining public health and clean water in the United States. Wastewater treatment facilities play a vital role in processing and treating wastewater before it is discharged back into water bodies or reused. However, the aging infrastructure of these facilities has led to frequent overflows and equipment failures, resulting in the release of untreated sewage into waterways.

Impacts of Sewage and Wastewater Pollution

Sewage spills and failing wastewater infrastructure have severe consequences for coastal water quality and ecosystems. Untreated sewage contains bacteria, viruses, and parasites that pose risks to human health, causing gastrointestinal issues, rashes, skin and eye infections, and flu-like symptoms. Additionally, the excess nutrients in sewage discharges fuel harmful algal blooms, leading to fish kills and coral reef die-offs.

Moreover, sewage overflows can be caused by various factors, including blockages, equipment failures, broken pipes, or vandalism. These incidents not only impact the environment but also have economic repercussions, affecting the valuable coastal tourism and ocean recreation industries, which are worth over $130 billion and provide 2.4 million jobs nationwide.

Solutions and Improvements

To address the issues of sewage and wastewater pollution, several strategies can be implemented:

• Upgrading and repairing aging wastewater infrastructure
• Advocating for robust beach water quality monitoring programs
• Investing in water infrastructure improvements
• Promoting the responsible use and treatment of wastewater
• Implementing measures to reduce or divert wastewater flow, such as disconnecting household rainwater drainage from sanitary sewers
• Utilizing advanced treatment technologies, such as activated sludge processes and methane generation from anaerobic digestion of biosolids

Plastics and garbage

Plastics and other garbage are a major contributor to water pollution in the United States. Plastic waste makes up 80% of all marine pollution, with around 8 to 10 million metric tons of plastic ending up in the ocean each year. This plastic waste comes from a variety of sources, including littering, improper manufacturing processes, and industrial fishing. Single-use plastics, such as plastic bags and food wrappers, are a significant contributor to the problem, as they have a short lifespan but can persist in the environment for hundreds of years.

The presence of plastic in the ocean has devastating consequences for marine life and ecosystems. It causes harm to animals through entanglement, ingestion, suffocation, laceration, infections, and internal injuries. It is estimated that marine plastic pollution has impacted at least 267 species worldwide, including sea turtles, seabirds, and marine mammals. In addition, plastic debris can transport invasive species, further threatening marine ecosystems, biodiversity, and the food web.

Microplastics, tiny particles of plastic that result from the breakdown of larger plastic waste, have been found in drinking water, salt, beer, and soil. These microplastics can have harmful effects on human health, including liver and cell damage, disruptions to reproductive systems, and immune disorders. They can also accumulate toxic contaminants, which are then transferred to humans through the consumption of seafood.

The economic costs of plastic in the ocean are significant, estimated to be between $6-19 billion USD annually, impacting tourism, fisheries, aquaculture, and cleanup efforts.

To address the issue of plastic pollution in the United States, experts recommend improving waste management systems, increasing recycling rates, redesigning disposable packaging, and reducing the manufacturing of unnecessary single-use plastics. Individual actions, such as reducing plastic consumption, reusing and recycling plastic products, and properly disposing of chemical cleaners, oils, and non-biodegradable items, can also make a difference.

Oil pollution

Sources of Oil Pollution

• Oil spills from tankers, drill platforms, barges, ships, pipelines, and wells
• Land-based sources such as factories, farms, and cities
• Natural seepage from the ocean floor through fractures known as seeps
• Accidental leaks and spills during chemical handling and transportation
• Wastewater from industrial facilities, which may contain oil and other pollutants
• Runoff from urban areas, including oil and other motor vehicle fluids, metals, fertilizers, and pesticides
• Agricultural pollution, with chemicals and waste from farms entering water bodies

Impacts of Oil Pollution

The impacts of oil pollution are far-reaching and affect both the environment and human communities:

• Ecological Damage: Oil spills can devastate marine life, coating vegetation and smothering animals. Oil spills in marsh environments are particularly harmful as the standing water allows oil to coat vegetation for extended periods, ruining nurseries and impacting interconnected species. Oil can also reduce oxygen levels in water, creating "dead zones" where life cannot be sustained.
• Human Health Risks: Oil pollution can cause respiratory issues, increased cancer risks, cardiovascular problems, and other health issues. Oil-contaminated drinking water poses a significant risk to human health and is linked to diseases such as cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis, typhoid, and polio.
• Economic Consequences: Oil spills can disrupt local economies, particularly those dependent on fishing and tourism. The clean-up and remediation costs of oil spills can be substantial, impacting communities and industries.
• Long-Term Environmental Effects: Even after the initial impact, oil pollution can have long-term effects on ecosystems. Oil residues can remain in sediments for decades, impacting vegetation, marine life, and the overall health of aquatic environments.

Preventing and Mitigating Oil Pollution

To address oil pollution, several measures can be implemented:

• Strict Regulations: Enforcing regulations, such as the Clean Water Act and the Oil Pollution Act, to control and prevent oil spills, and imposing penalties on violators.
• Improved Wastewater Treatment: Upgrading and maintaining wastewater treatment facilities to effectively treat and remove oil and other contaminants before discharging water back into waterways.
• Source Control: Reducing land-based sources of oil pollution, such as factories, farms, and urban runoff, by implementing erosion and sediment control measures, and proper waste disposal practices.
• Spill Response and Prevention: Investing in spill response technologies and procedures to minimize the impact of oil spills and prevent their occurrence.

Radioactive waste

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) plays a crucial role in regulating and monitoring radioactive contaminants in drinking water. The EPA sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for radionuclides under the Safe Drinking Water Act. However, health advocates argue that the legal limits for certain radioactive elements have not been updated since the 1970s and do not reflect the latest scientific research. There are also concerns about inconsistent and infrequent testing for radioactive contaminants, especially in private wells and rural areas.

The impact of radioactive waste on marine life is a particular concern. While the ocean has a huge capacity to dilute radiation, nuclear isotopes are already moving up the local food chain. Radioactive elements, including short-lived iodine-131 and longer-lived cesium-137, can be absorbed by phytoplankton, zooplankton, kelp, and other marine life, eventually reaching humans. The lack of comprehensive studies and monitoring of marine environments adds to the uncertainty about the full extent of the problem.

Addressing radioactive waste in water requires stricter regulations, improved monitoring, and prevention strategies. The EPA's ongoing review of national primary drinking water regulations is a step towards stricter standards, but the financial and technological challenges for water providers cannot be overlooked. Additionally, upstream solutions, such as predicting and preventing the release of uranium into groundwater aquifers, can provide more equitable and cost-effective approaches for rural and agricultural communities.

Fracking

Water pollution in the United States is a significant issue, with the country's water sources facing contamination from various sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and municipal sewage. One particular concern within this issue is the impact of fracking on water quality.

Impact of Fracking on Water Pollution in the United States

• Drill holes penetrating water-bearing rocks: If the borehole is not adequately cased to prevent leaks, the fracking fluid can escape and pollute the aquifer.
• Horizontal drilling too close to water-bearing rocks: This was a common practice among small risk-taking companies in the early days of fracking in the US and is now considered poor practice.
• Improper wastewater disposal: The water used in the fracking process, which is mixed with chemicals and sand, can become contaminated with heavy metals and radioactivity. If this wastewater is not appropriately contained and treated, it can pollute water sources.

The contamination of water supplies by fracking has been documented in several studies and incidents. For example, a study by former EPA scientist Dominic DiGiulio found that fracking had polluted groundwater in Wyoming, particularly in the Pavillion area, where residents complained about the bad taste and smell of their drinking water. The study identified contamination by fracking wastes stored in unlined pits and the presence of chemicals linked to hydraulic fracturing in the groundwater resource.

Another study, published in the Journal of Health Economics, examined the geographic expansion of shale gas drilling in Pennsylvania and its impact on infant health. It found that drilling near public water sources led to poorer birth outcomes and increased levels of fracking-related contaminants in drinking water. Specifically, each new well drilled within one kilometer of a public drinking water source was associated with an 11-13% increase in preterm births and low birth weight in infants exposed during gestation.

The issue of fracking-related water pollution has also been observed in other states, including California and those in the Rocky Mountain region, where fracking sometimes occurs at shallow depths, increasing the risk of contamination.

Regulation and Mitigation

The regulation of fracking and its impact on water quality has been a topic of debate. While some argue for stricter environmental regulations, others, including the Obama administration, have promoted the use of natural gas as a cleaner alternative to coal-fired power plants. However, this focus on natural gas has been criticized for downplaying the local pollution and health impacts associated with its extraction.

To address water pollution from fracking, improved regulations and stricter enforcement are necessary. Additionally, the development and implementation of treatment technologies for fracking wastewater, as well as the proper containment and disposal of wastewater, are crucial to mitigate the potential contamination of water sources.

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