Contaminants in drinking water

Abstract

An adequate supply of safe drinking water is one of the major prerequisites for a healthy life, but waterborne disease is still a major cause of death in many parts of the world, particularly in children, and it is also a significant economic constraint in many subsistence economies. The basis on which drinking water safety is judged is national standards or international guidelines. The most important of these are the WHO Guidelines for Drinking Water Quality. The quality of drinking water and possible associated health risks vary throughout the world with some regions showing, for example, high levels of arsenic, fluoride or contamination of drinking water by pathogens, whereas elsewhere these are very low and no problem. Marked variations also occur on a more local level within countries due, for example, to agricultural and industrial activities. These and others are discussed in this chapter.

Assessment of borehole water quality in Yola-Jimeta Metropolis, Nigeria

“…These organisms can cause nausea, cramps, diarrhoea, and associated headaches (Hoebe et al, 2004). The low iron concentration of water will also cause adverse taste of water and when used in laundry may result in stains or discoloration of clothing and soap wastage (Nemade et al, 2009 (Chiroma et al, 2007;Fawell and Nieuwenhuijsen, 2003). Nitrate is a major ingredient of farm fertilizer and is necessary for crop production.…”

Perceived Vulnerability to Disease Predicts Environmental Attitudes

“…Environmental pollution increases individual's risk disease threat and/or pathogen contamination (Harada 1995, Mawdsley et al 1995, Tyrrell & Quinton 2003, Fawell & Nieuwenhuijsen 2003, Millenium Ecosystem Assessment 2005, Hassing et al 2009). Unsafe water, air pollution, poor sanitation and poor hygiene are seen to be the major sources of exposure (Briggs 2003).…”

Levels of pharmaceuticals in Slovene municipal and hospital wastewaters: a preliminary study

“…Endocrine disruptors may affect sperm count or cause breast and testicular cancer. One should bear in mind, however, that all evidence of direct adverse effects on human health is weak and inconclusive (2). On the other hand, the evidence of adverse effects on aquatic biota is much more convincing; long-term exposure to diclofenac impairs renal and gill function (3,4), exposure to carbamazepine growth retardation (5), and exposure to sertraline reproductive disorders in a variety of fish species (6).…”