Water Pollution

Water is consumed by the masses daily. However, the condition of the water is important as the contaminated water that is consumed can lead to disastrous problems. There are millions dead and many more illnesses contracted every year due to water pollution. Water pollution is the contamination of water with chemicals or other hazardous substances that are detrimental to human, animal, or plant health.

There are many sources for water pollution. One of which is corroded water pipes which leach harmful chemicals such as lead. Others are from hazardous waste sites and industrial discharges, pesticides and fertilizers from agricultural operation, natural hazardous chemicals such as arsenic, sewage and food processing waste.

As a result of all of these pollutants there are 2 billion people worldwide that drink contaminated water that could be harmful to their health. Major contaminants are arsenic, lead, hydraulic fracturing chemicals, and pesticides. Arsenic causes skin, lung, bladder, kidney, and liver cancer. Lead induces behavioral and developmental effects in children plus cardiovascular and kidney problems. The chemicals from hydraulic fracturing causes damage to immune and reproductive systems. and neurodevelopment effects and Parkinson’s disease are caused from pesticides within water.

There are 7 million cases of 17 different waterborne illnesses that occur annually in the US. There is continuous research going on to find out the causes and effects on water pollution on the consumed drinking water.