Water-borne disease occurs after contaminated water consumption. The contaminant microorganisms are generally bacteria such as Salmonella, Campylobacter, viruses, Cryptosporidia, Giardia and rarely Toxoplasma
How Does Water-Borne Disease Spreads?
Generally, water-borne diseases occur due to surface waters such as brook, river, lake and rain waters which are contaminated by infected human or animal. Infected animals can be pets, livestock, poultry which defecate in or near the waters. Sewages, industry and residences also cause water contamination.
There are four contaminat groups. These are;
Pathogens: Pathogens in drinking water cause serious health problems. Some of these problems are; gastritis, Salmonella infection, dysentery, shigellosis, hepatitis and giardiasis.
Organics: Toxic contaminants in water are trihalomethanes (THMs), pesticides and volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). THMs form as a result of combination of natural water organics and chlorine. Pesticides include herbicides,insecticides and fungicides. VOCs include solvents, gums, benzine and fuel additives such as benzene, trichlorethylene (TCE), styrene, toluene and vinyl chloride.
Inorganics: These contaminants contain toxic metals such as arsenic, barium, chrome, lead, mercury and silver. These metals can contaminate from natural sources, industry or facilities. Nitrate is another contaminant. Nitrate exist in fertilisers, sewage and animal waste.
Radioactive Elements: Radon is a radioactive contaminant that occurs as a result of alteration of uranium which exists in soil and rock. It causes big problems if it exists in water in gas form.
What Are The Symptoms Of Water-Borne Diseases?
Generally, many people doesn’t how any symptoms due to water-disease even they don’t realize the disease.
But some water-borne disease symptoms occurs after two to ten days. Symptoms are diarrhea, abdominal pain, nauseation and fever. Toxoplasmosis cause fever, adeno-distension and visual loss.
Contaminants generally cause annals health effects. Examples of annals health problems are cancer, kidney and liver problems, neural system and immune system problems and even death birth.
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