Importance of water
Water is of fundamental importance for life on earth. The synthesis and structure of cell constituents and transport of nutrients into the cells as well as body metabolism depend on water. The contaminants present in water disturb the spontaneity of the mechanism and result in long/short-term diseases.
The presence of contaminants is not necessarily a problem in itself. Many of the substances found in drinking water are harmless at low levels and some, like certain minerals, may even be beneficial. But in some cases, contaminated water can cause health problems or lead to waterborne diseases, if the level of harmful substances is too high.
Many uses of water
Ø Drinking
Ø Cleaning of different kinds
Ø Production and other industrial uses
Ø Agriculture and aquaculture
Ø Transportation
Ø Sports and many more
Defining Contaminants
Contaminant means any physical, chemical, biological, or radiological substance or matter in water. In other words, a contaminant is anything in the water that is not a water molecule.
It may be geological or anthropogenic (man-made). The types and concentrations of natural contaminants depend on the nature of the geological materials through which the groundwater flows and quality of the recharge water. Groundwater moving through sedimentary rocks and soils may pick up a wide range of compounds, such as magnesium, calcium, and chloride, arsenate, fluoride, nitrate, and iron; thus, the effect of these natural contaminations depends on their types and concentrations.
Other contaminants are man-made by-products of industry, and agriculture, including heavy metals like mercury, copper, chromium, lead, and hazardous chemicals, dyes and compounds like insecticides and fertilizers.
Improper storing or disposing of household chemicals such as paints, synthetic detergents, solvents, oils, medicines, disinfectants, pool chemicals, pesticides, batteries, gasoline and diesel fuel can lead to ground water contamination.
Types of Contaminants
Basically, the contaminants are four types associated with water pollution.
i. Inorganic Contaminants
ii. Organic Contaminants
iii. Biological Contaminants
iv. Radiological Contaminants
Inorganic contaminants and the health effect
There are inorganic substances such as calcium, magnesium, fluoride, arsenic, lead, copper, chromium, mercury, antimony, cyanide that contaminate water resource. They can get into water from natural sources, industrial processes, as well as from plumbing systems.
Fluoride is known to cause dental and skeletal fluorosis. Their effects are especially harmful to developing children and the elderly people. It is also associated with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
Hardness of the water is a naturally occurring contaminate caused by significant amounts of calcium or magnesium components. Generally, 300–400 mg/L hardness is suitable for drinking purpose. Prolonged exposure to water containing salts (TDS >500 mg/L) can cause kidney stone, etc.
Arsenic contamination is by far the biggest mass poisoning cases in the world, especially in India and Bangladesh. Arsenic contamination of water causes a disease called arsenicosis. Arsenic has been linked to cancer of the skin, bladder, lungs, kidney, nasal passages, liver, and prostate. Non-cancer effects can include thickening and discoloration of the skin, stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, numbness in hands and feet, partial paralysis, and blindness.
Mercury gets into water from agricultural runoff as well as seepage from landfills and some factories. The presence of mercury in water causes impairment of brain functions, neurological disorders, and retardation of growth in children, abortion and disruption of the endocrine system
Selenium and uranium have also both been shown to cause adverse effects in humans through drinking water. In seleniferous areas, drinking water can contribute to high selenium intakes, which can give rise to loss of hair, skin lesions, and more seriously, changes in peripheral nerves.
Uranium is a kidney toxin found in groundwater associated with granitic rocks and other mineral deposits.
Organic Contaminants and their health effect
The major anthropogenic sources of organic contamination are pesticides, domestic waste, industrial wastes, VOCs (such as toluene, benzene, styrene etc.), dyes, pharmaceutical products, personal care products, fragrances, petroleum hydrocarbons, water treatment by-products (such as trihalomethanes, haloacetic acids etc.)
Trihalomethanes (THMs) are formed when chlorine in the treated water combines with naturally occurring organic matter. Contamination through organic materials can cause serious health problems like cancers, hormonal disruptions, and nervous system disorder.
Biological contaminants
Biological contamination of water is caused by the presence of living organisms, such as algae, bacteria, protozoan or viruses. Algae are quite abundant and depend on nutrients in water. These nutrients are generally from domestic run-off or industrial pollution. The excess algae growth does not only impart taste and odor problems in water; it clogs filters, and produces unwanted slime growths on the carriers. Sometimes, they are capable of liberating toxins and they damage the liver, nervous system and skin.
There are numerous pathogenic bacteria that can contaminate water. They can result in typhoid, dysentery, cholera and gastroenteritis. Some non-pathogenic bacteria, although not harmful, may cause taste and odor problems.
Radiological Contaminants
Radiological contaminants are caused by radioactive elements such as radium, uranium etc.
Sources of radioactive material could be soils or rocks water moves through or some industrial waste. They tend to be a greater problem in groundwater than in surface water. All types of radiological contamination increase the risk of cancer.
A good water purification system will remove a wide range of impurities such as pesticides, bacteria, viruses, odor, and heavy metals from water.
For a good water purification system, contact Safebrooks Nigeria Limited for appropriate selection and installation of water purification system for domestic, industrial and community water needs.