Diseases Caused by Water Pollution and Its Solution
Air, water, and noise pollution are the outcomes of industrialization over the years. While we are enjoying the wide range of electronics, clothes, and food offered, the factories that manufacture often release toxic waste.
Pollution has surrounded us all, to the one living in the city because of the population as well as the one living in rural villages because of the factories situated. Water pollution is something that needs to be taken seriously right away, or we will face a shortage of good Water.
With an increase in demand for items, factories are being opened on a large scale. The production of many consumer items also has waste that needs to be disposed of properly.
It was only after the water pollution act in the year 1974 that guidelines were made on how to dispose of the waste in a way that it won’t warm the water bodies. Before this act, many factories would just let the waste down the nearby water stream.
The waste not only contaminates the water, making it unfit for drinking, but it also affects marine life, endangering the life of fishes and small creatures living in the Water.
Water pollution has way more adverse effects than what you can think of. Even though there are many activities taking place to control water pollution, it has already affected many lives.
Which are the diseases caused by water pollution?
A few commonly known diseases caused by water pollution are:
They can be mild as well as life-threatening and needs fast treatment. In order to avoid them, drinking safe and filtered water is necessary and to maintain hygiene in the surrounding.
Causes of water pollution
Factory waste – Factory often releases its waste in the Water directly; it could be color, chemical, or oil. All such substances get mixed with fresh water and make it unfit to drink.
Sewage – Sewage waste here means domestic waste. We all use dustbin and throw all are garbage in it. This garbage often ends up in Water, making it a ‘Nala.’ If wet and dry waste is kept together, wet waste can attract all sorts of bacterias and insects.
Radioactive waste – Most factories producing electronics also ends up some kind of waste. Dangerous waste, when let in the Water, will affect not only humans but also marine life. Fishes will die due to their radiation. In humans, it causes issues in the long run like cancer.
Here are a few diseases often caused due to water pollution and below written is a feasible solution to it.
Diarrhea
One of the commonly known issues of diarrhea is caused by contaminated water. Most causes of diarrhea are the water-borne viruses, bacteria, and parasites found in water contaminated by feces, a cause of diarrhea.
During diarrhea, people feel really dehydrated and it also causes death in infants. Diarrhea leads to watery stool and loss of electrolytes that make you feel weak.
Solution
To prevent getting diarrhea it is necessary that the drinking water is safe. Drinking boiled water, as well as water from a water purifier, will filter out all the bacteria in it. Especially in the monsoon season, not to drink Water from my source as it might not be safe.
Cholera
Cholera is caused by bacterial diseases and leads to severe diarrhea and dehydration. If left untreated, a person with cholera can die within hours.
Cholera has led to many epidemics in the past. A stream of water that is contaminated and consumed by many affecting all with cholera.
Solution
The solution to cholera is the same as diarrhea. Having safe and clean drinking water and avoiding any unknown source of water will prevent you from contracting cholera.
Malaria
Malaria is caused by a parasite called Plasmodium. It spreads through insect bites, commonly through mosquitoes. Most of us are aware of malaria as it is quite common.
Water pollution allows these mosquitoes to breed in larger numbers, which then affects more people in the surrounding areas. Malaria causes a headache, high fever with shivering and if it’s escalated then it can even lead to severe anemia, coma, and death.
Solution
Malaria is caused by mosquitos hence it is necessary to keep the surrounding area clean and hygienic. Do not let any water get collected as it can act as a breeding ground for such mosquitoes.
Dysentery
Dysentery is mainly caused by a bacteria named Shigella, also known as shigellosis. Apart from this, there are other causes of dysentery such as certain chemicals, protozoa, and parasitic worms.
Dysentery spreads because of poor hygiene. Anyone who has dysentery if not takes proper precautions can make everything he or she touches unsafe for the rest.
Dysentery leads to abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and nausea. Shigella bacteria is found in contaminated water which is why water pollution is the reason for dysentery.
Solution
There are a few things that should be followed regularly like washing hands frequently and thoroughly with soap. Using safe water in cooking meals. Avoiding sharing towels with unknowns.
If you come in contact with a person infected with dysentery, all things touched by that person should be cleaned. The person’s clothes should be washed with hot water.
Arsenicosis
Arsenicosis happens due to the chemical waste that enters the water making it contaminated. Arsenicosis comes from the word arsenic which is a chemical substance and is harmful to humans.
Consuming small amounts of arsenic can lead to arsenic poisoning. It can lead to painful skin lesions and affect the lungs, kidneys, and bladder.
Solution
It is necessary to know the water source and get the Water tested. It will show if the Water contains any poisonous chemical, harmful bacteria, or parasites.
Drink clean and filtered water, install a good quality water filter that will remove all sorts of chemicals and bacteria from the water making it safe to drink
Trachoma
If you are thinking that having contaminated water will only affect the stomach then you are very wrong. Trachoma is an eye infection. It is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydia Trachomatis.
It affects the eyes and is quite painful, it leads to lesions on the inner eye and can eventually lead to blindness. The most common reason for contracting trachoma is poor hygiene.
Solution
It is important to have proper waste management in the house. Proper cleaning and timely sanitization are needed if you don’t want such bacteria around you.
Frequent hand washing is also a preventive measure. You can even treat the water that you get to get rid of such parasites but the water won’t be safe enough to drink.
Conclusion
Water pollution should not be taken lightly. Once the water gets contaminated it takes a lot of time to filter it and still won’t be good enough to drink. Diseases from water pollution can attack anyone’s immune system and be a cause of death as well.
Although many acts and laws have been passed to prevent any more water pollution, we still have a long way to go. Each one of us can do our bit in keeping the surrounding hygiene and not cause anymore pollution.
