The impact of water pollution on human health: 10 Adverse effects

Rapid industrialisation has undoubtedly improved the worldwide economy to a large extent, but we have to pay the price for that. It has hampered the ecological balance beyond our imagination. The pollution effects on humans are widespread and are not only limited to physical ailments only, however, the physique is the most affected part. To maintain a safety net, it is best to keep yourself prepared with health insurance to manage medical contingencies well. Zurich Kotak General Insurance is a friendly name in this category.

Although there are varied types of pollution including, air, water, and sound, in this article, we will discuss the effects of water pollution on human health.

Adverse effects of water pollution on human health

Water pollution is a severe environmental issue that has far-fetched effects on human health. It can be caused by several factors including agricultural runoffs, sewage, toxic industrial discharges, etc. Some of the most prominent symptoms of water pollution effects on humans include:2

Drinking water contamination

Water pollution leads to contamination of drinking water, causing several health issues like GI infections, dysentery, cholera, typhoid, etc.

Toxin exposure

Excessive exposure to toxins and toxic chemicals like pesticides, mercury, lead, etc. may result in grave physical issues like, congenital disabilities, cancer, neurological issues, etc.

Skin irritation

Regular contact with contaminated water leads to skin rashes, irritation, and itching. It may even raise allergic reactions under certain circumstances.

Respiratory ailments

Severe respiratory issues like bronchitis and asthma may be significantly aggravated and triggered by breathing in airborne contaminants present in polluted water.

Reproductive issues

Pollution has gravely affected reproductive health. Polluted water is responsible for causing several reproductive health problems like congenital disabilities, reduced sperm count, and even infertility.

Cardiovascular issues

Consuming and using contaminated water containing heavy metals may eventually lead to the development of cardiovascular health issues, like stroke and cardiac arrest.

Damage to kidney and liver

Continuous exposure to contaminated and polluted water may even cause damage to the liver and kidney. This may give rise to several health ailments.

Cancer

If you are exposed to certain typical pollutants and chemicals present in contaminated water, it significantly raises the risk of developing cancer in the future. Several scientific researches, surveys, and studies have confirmed this fact. Some of the popular forms of cancer that may develop under such circumstances include lymphoma and leukaemia.

Mental health problems

Severe exposure to water pollution may also have adverse effects on mental health, leading to depression, anxiety, and stress.

Brain retardation in kids

Apart from restricting normal physical and mental development, water pollution may even cause brain retardation among children. They become prone to several psychiatric issues and neurodevelopmental ailments.

Conclusion

Considering all these factors, it is evident that water pollution is a grave issue and needs to be tackled sensitively. Some of the probable measures to reduce water pollution include, the installation of RO purifiers for household water drinking uses with proper servicing measures at punctual intervals, effective sewage and wastewater management, enhanced usage of eco-friendly products, etc.

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