Kiera Jefferson
Water pollution is a pressing global issue that poses significant risks to human health and the environment. Caused by a combination of natural and human factors, water pollution has severe implications for the well-being of individuals, particularly children, who are especially vulnerable to water-related illnesses. The consumption of contaminated water and inadequate sanitation practices are linked to the transmission of various diseases, including cholera, diarrhoea, dysentery, hepatitis A, typhoid, and polio. Additionally, unsafe drinking water can lead to skin diseases, malnutrition, and even cancer. The impact of water pollution extends beyond human health, as it also contaminates our rivers, reservoirs, lakes, and seas, exposing marine life to harmful chemicals, waste, plastics, and other pollutants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of deaths caused by water pollution every year | 1.8 million (2015) |
| Number of people who fall sick due to unsafe water every year | 1 billion |
| Waterborne pathogens | Bacteria, viruses, protozoa |
| Diseases caused by water pollution | Cholera, giardia, typhoid, Legionnaires’ disease, salmonellosis, shigellosis, hepatitis A, encephalitis, arsenicosis, fluorosis, lead poisoning, cancer, schistosomiasis, dengue fever, skin infections, malnutrition, organ damage |
| Factors affecting water quality | Urbanization, population growth, industrial production, climate change, religious activities, improper disposal of solid waste, sand, and gravel |
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What You'll Learn
Diarrhoea and other digestive issues
Diarrhoea is the most widely known disease linked to contaminated water. According to the World Health Organization, diarrhoeal diseases can be significantly prevented through safe drinking water and adequate sanitation and hygiene. Diarrhoea can be caused by various factors, including poor sanitation, unsafe drinking water, and contaminated food. It is a common symptom of waterborne infections and can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, and even death in vulnerable individuals.
The risk of developing diarrhoea is higher when consuming water from certain sources, such as jars or tankers, compared to piped water. This was observed in a survey conducted in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal, where the odds ratios for developing diarrhoea were significantly higher for drinking water from jars or tankers. The study also found that drinking groundwater had a lower risk, indicating that residents avoided drinking polluted water.
Waterborne diseases caused by contaminated water consumption can rapidly affect numerous people. Nearly 1,000 children die daily from preventable diarrhoeal diseases related to water and sanitation. It is the second leading cause of mortality in children under five years old, with approximately 525,000 deaths annually. According to the United Nations, more than two million people worldwide die each year from diarrhoeal diseases, with poor sanitation and unsafe drinking water being the leading cause of nearly 90% of deaths.
Contaminated water can harbour viruses, bacteria, and parasites that, when consumed, can cause various gastrointestinal illnesses. For example, an increase in E. coli contamination in drinking water is associated with a higher prevalence of diarrhoea. Other bacterial infections, such as Salmonella, can cause inflammation of the intestinal tract and rapid death if left untreated. Protozoan infections can also cause gastrointestinal issues, including chronic diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and vomiting, leading to dehydration.
Water pollution can also compromise the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses. The consumption of chemically polluted water can disrupt the balance of enzymes and good bacteria in the digestive tract and gut, impairing the digestive process. It is crucial to ensure safe drinking water and improve sanitation practices to protect public health and prevent diarrhoeal diseases and other digestive issues caused by water pollution.
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Cholera and typhoid
Cholera is an acute diarrheal infection caused by consuming food or water contaminated with the bacterium Vibrio cholerae. It is a global public health threat and indicates a lack of social and economic development. Cholera outbreaks occur regularly in some countries, particularly those with limited access to safe water, basic sanitation facilities, and poor hygiene practices. These outbreaks can be caused by various factors, including conflict, population displacement, climate events, and a lack of investment in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services and infrastructure.
The prevention and control of cholera require a combination of interventions, including strengthening surveillance systems, improving water quality, sanitation, and hygiene practices, increasing risk communication, and community engagement. The oral cholera vaccine (OCV) is also available and effective in preventing and controlling the disease. Safe water, basic sanitation, and hygiene are essential in preventing cholera and other waterborne diseases.
In March 2016, a cholera outbreak occurred in the Bulambuli District of Eastern Uganda. The outbreak was caused by drinking contaminated water from the Cheptui River, resulting in a sharp increase in suspected and confirmed cases. Local public health authorities and non-governmental organizations implemented control measures, but the outbreak persisted at a low level.
Typhoid fever, caused by the bacterium Salmonella Typhi, is a life-threatening infection usually spread through contaminated food or water. It is common in areas with poor sanitation and a lack of safe drinking water, particularly in remote places where people rely on private and unsafe drinking water reservoirs. Typhoid fever can be treated with antibiotics, but antimicrobial resistance is common, leading to more complicated and expensive treatment options.
The prevention of typhoid fever focuses on ensuring access to safe water and adequate sanitation, improving hygiene practices, especially among food handlers, and vaccination. The typhoid conjugate vaccine is recommended for use in children from 6 months of age and adults up to 45 or 65 years, depending on the specific vaccine. It is crucial for travellers to endemic areas to take necessary precautions, such as ensuring proper food handling and consumption, practicing good hygiene, and drinking safe water, to lower the risk of contracting typhoid fever.
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Skin diseases
Water pollution can cause a variety of skin diseases, with the skin being the largest organ in the body and one of its main functions being to protect the body from harmful substances. The level of exposure to these substances determines the damage that will occur.
Drinking water contaminated with arsenic has been linked to skin lesions and skin cancer. Arsenic concentrations in biological samples such as hair and blood from patients with skin diseases have been correlated with the intake of arsenic-contaminated drinking water. Studies have shown a consistent dose-response relationship between water arsenic levels and an increased risk of skin lesions, even at low to moderate doses.
Bathing in contaminated water can also lead to skin diseases. Microorganisms such as blue-green algae, bacteria, viruses, and parasites can be found in bathing waters, including beaches, lakes, rivers, and pools. Swimming in polluted waters has been associated with a higher risk of contracting skin diseases. For example, swimmer's itch is a skin irritation caused by contact with cercarias, which are small larvae found in some lakes.
Air pollution can also indirectly lead to skin problems. Particulate matter, ozone, and aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AhR) contribute to oxidative stress, which can damage the skin. Urban dust, cigarette smoke, and diesel exhaust contain toxic chemicals that can penetrate the skin and cause adverse effects. Additionally, compromised skin barrier function and reduced skin hydration have been observed in individuals living in highly polluted areas, despite their efforts to maintain better lifestyle choices.
It is important to note that while water pollution can cause skin diseases, further in-depth research is needed to fully understand the impact of water pollution on skin health.
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Cancer
Water pollution has been linked to a heightened risk of cancer. Contaminated drinking water, which currently meets legal quality standards, could cause an estimated 100,000 cancer cases in the US alone. This figure is based on a study that examined 22 cancer-causing compounds found in 48,363 municipal water systems. The study is the first to estimate the cumulative cancer risk from the mixture of chemical contaminants in tap water.
It is important to note that the types and quantities of carcinogens present in drinking water can vary depending on the source of the water and the treatment processes involved. Some common contaminants of source water include arsenic, asbestos, radon, agricultural chemicals, and hazardous waste. Arsenic, a naturally occurring substance, is linked to cancers of the liver, lung, bladder, and kidney. Ingestion of high levels of arsenic is an accepted cause of bladder cancer, but the risk associated with lower levels of exposure is less certain.
Disinfection byproducts (DBPs), formed when chlorine used to disinfect water comes into contact with organic material, have also been implicated in increasing cancer risk. DBPs have been linked to bladder, liver, kidney, and intestinal cancers, as well as potential harm to fetal development. In addition, trihalomethanes (THMs), a major component of DBPs in treated water, have been associated with bladder cancer.
Nitrate contamination in drinking water is another concern, particularly in agricultural areas. Ingesting nitrate can lead to the formation of N-nitroso compounds (NOCs), potent animal carcinogens. Studies have observed increased risks of colon, kidney, and stomach cancer among individuals with higher ingestion of water nitrate and higher meat intake, which results in elevated NOC formation.
Other contaminants linked to cancer include chromium-6, which is associated with stomach cancer, and radioactive contaminants like radium and uranium.
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Parasitic worms
One of the most well-known diseases caused by parasitic worms is schistosomiasis, which affects millions of people worldwide. It is an acute and chronic disease caused by exposure to infested water containing parasitic worms. These worms can remain dormant for years, but they actively damage internal organs during this period. Schistosomiasis alone required over 251.4 million people to receive preventative treatment in 2021.
Water sources that attract a lot of animal activity can become hotspots for parasitic worm transmission. This is especially true in arid regions, where water scarcity brings many hosts together in small areas, increasing the concentration of faecal-oral parasites. For example, a study in an East African savanna showed that water sources increased the density of wild and domestic herbivore faeces, amplifying the concentration of faecal-oral parasites in the environment.
In addition to natural factors, human activities also contribute to water pollution and the spread of parasitic worms. Urbanization, population growth, industrial production, and improper waste disposal can all lead to decreasing water quality. This is evident in developing countries, where rapid economic growth, industrialization, and urbanization have resulted in underinvestment in basic water supply and treatment facilities, leading to an increased incidence of parasitic diseases.
To prevent parasitic worm infections, it is crucial to ensure safe drinking water. This can be achieved through proper water treatment methods, such as filtration, ultraviolet light treatment, or reverse osmosis. Additionally, maintaining good sanitation practices, such as washing hands after contact with animals or human faeces, and thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables before consumption, can help reduce the risk of parasitic worm infections.
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Frequently asked questions
Water pollution can cause a variety of diseases, including skin diseases, malnutrition, cancer, cholera, typhoid, and diarrhoea, which is the most widely known disease linked to contaminated water.
Symptoms of waterborne diseases vary but can include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, headaches, loss of appetite, extreme discomfort, fatigue, and jaundice.
Water can become contaminated through human and natural factors. Human activities such as urbanization, population growth, industrial production, and improper disposal of solid waste can directly affect water quality. Natural factors include the natural environment, such as loess and mudstone, and human activities like religious practices.
Knowing the source of your drinking water and how it has been treated is essential to avoid getting sick. In some cases, simply covering water storage containers can reduce the risk of contamination.
Water pollution can have severe health implications, causing approximately 1.8 million deaths in 2015 alone. It is estimated that about 1 billion people fall ill each year due to unsafe water, with children being the most vulnerable.
