Contaminated Water Health Risks: Why Clean Water Is No Longer a Guarantee:

Water, – we’ve heard it time and and again, is life. It is a healer, a critical element of life, and something we can’t do without. Water not only serves the purpose of quenching thirst, but plays a huge role in body temperature regulation, flushing out toxins, and so on. Today however, one big question is: how safe is the water that you are consuming?

Even though clear in color, the water coming from the tap can mask dire threats underneath it. Access to clean drinking water is still a pressing problem in both the urban and the rural regions of the world. Water, no matter how clear, can be filled with deadly viruses, bacteria, and harmful substances. And these hidden contaminants pose serious health risks.

If you start believing that water is only essential for hydration, you are making a huge mistake. It is important for sanitation too. Now, let us turn our attention towards the issue about unsafe drinking water, and look how dirty water can prove fatal.

Global Alarming Statistics: The declaration and prediction from the WHO

The World Health Organization claims around 80% of ailments in underdeveloped countries stems from waterborne infections. Not too much surprising, around 1/3 of deaths in these countries are a result from water related illness.

The idea is loud and apparent: Unsafe drinking water silently kills. Using these sources without proper filtration and treatment is a bridge that leads to fatal diseases.

The following sections will highlight the 5 serious health risks related to contaminated water, these include issues with stomach and digestion, as well as cancer.

Digestion and stomach issues: the warning sign

Nasty water, bacteria and viruses is one mix, and one that is, unfortunately, drank by many. Water full of bacteria acts as a playground for germs illness like the E. coli, Salmonella, or Norovirus. Depending on the severity of the case; people may have one of the following issues: Intestinal Infection, Stomach cramps, vomiting, or even Diarrhea. In case of extreme scenarios all of these can unite and cause severe dehydration, especially to children and the elderly. Harsh and toxic right?We aren’t yet done with reminding you how important clean water is.

As previously stated, one of the more immediate form of side effects from drinking filthy water is stomach problems. Not only is it slimy, dirty water that is intake, it is oxygen scooping out a lot of toxin. And, it packs a punch to ones stomach, literally. There are buildups of toxic sludge in pipes like arsenic, lead, industrial pollutants, seeping and blending with the groundwater. The groundwater melting and merging with that dirt while it is exposed, exposed the body to a range of stomach issues. Both skin and bladder cancer along with lung cancer can become serious issues over time. These forms of cancer are very common in women. Arsenic is one of the few substances which is particularly dangerous and is often suffered by high exposure rate areas in Asia. This is known to poison the body and lead to negative long-term health complications.

Kidney Damage: A Stealthy and Gradual Attack

Around-the-clock destruction is the hallmark of chronic metal poisoning due to lead, cadmium, arsenic, etc., present in contaminated water. Everybody is at risk and do nothing to prevent it. Failure to act or intervene may result in a significant upsurge in:

Blindness

Kidney Stones

Kidney dysfunction

And ultimately, complete kidney failure.

Compounding the problem is the fact that these signs often correlate with other medical issues and hence, they are easily overlooked until it is too late.

Skin Diseases and Irritations: An Itch that Is More Deep-Seated

Skin diseases, allergies, and infections are usually associated with the weather, but water quality can also play a significant role. Inadequately treated water purposed for bathing or washing clothes not only exposes bacteria and harsh chemicals but is also less effective against other suseptible skin diseases.

Ear, rashes, red spots or inflamed areas

Itching or Other Skin Rashes

Fungal infections

Eczema and Psoriasis are two of the most common chronic inflammatory skin diseases

Chronic Alkaline Erythema

There is much skin can suffer from dirty water, but what is essential to remember is that clean water is just as necessary, if not more.

Other Deadly Disease Linked to Dirty Water

Aside from the aforementioned, a leading cause of infectious disease with dirty water is the rapid spread of Cholera, Typhoid, Hepatitis A, malaria especially in stagnant waters. The spread can occur easily across towns and nations where there is an absence of decent infrastructure. This leads to health crisis eruptions with little to no control.

How to Stay Safe Along With Your Family

Even though the situation looks bleak, there is always prevention. Here are simple measures you can take to lower the risk from contaminated water:

Add water filters or purifiers in your home.

Make sure to boil water for drinking, particularly if you are not sure where the water came from.

If you are traveling, use verified bottled water.

Never drink open or stagnant water from ponds, rivers, and similar sources.

Keep track of the local reports issued by the municipal authority concerning water quality.

For those in rural areas, consider purchasing portable treatments like chlorine tablets or UV purifiers.