check whats in your water now?
In order for you to know what is in your water one should know the water source. Since India is a large country based on its geographical area and population as well, it is difficult to put the whole thing in the article. It should be also noted that there are various sources of water, in most of the cities the supply is usually from underground sources or surface waters. Once you are sure about the source, then the following parameters should be checked in order to ascertain its quality and impacts on human health.
1-MERCURY
Mercury is a naturally-occurring metal found in the environment in small amounts. However, these minuscule amounts aren’t what drive health concerns. The man-made sources of mercury, including coal, trash, and industrial waste, are the real culprit.
HEALTH RISKS
Recent laws have restricted the sources from dumping coal ash into water. However, the mercury that was already in the water has lasting impacts. Even a tiny drop of mercury is highly toxic, and mercury stays in systems for years.Fish and other aquatic organisms can store and accumulate mercury in their bodies over their entire lifetimes.A high level of mercury exposure can result in significant health risks for people. These risks include:
1- Developmental disorders
2- Nervous system damage
3- Problems during pregnancy
4- Kidney damage.
2-LEAD
Lead is a naturally occurring element found in the earth’s crust. But it can also be found in all parts of our environment, including water.
HEALTH RISKS
Lead is found in a number of different things, including pipes, lead-based paint, and contaminated dust. Excessive exposure to lead can cause lead poisoning. Most areas have banned lead-based paint because of the harmful effects of lead poisoning. But lead can still get into systems, impacting the quality of drinking water. Lead poisoning can result in heart and kidney disease, brain swelling, damage to the nervous system, and death.
3-NITRATE AND NITRITE
Nitrate and nitrite are two chemical contaminants that can enter your drinking water.
HEALTH RISKS
Consuming too much nitrate in your drinking water can have dire health consequences, especially for babies. Nitrate affects how blood carries oxygen, and it causes methemoglobinemia, also known as blue baby syndrome. A lack of oxygen causes the skin to turn to a bluish colour and can result in severe illness or death. It also increases the risk of decreased blood pressure, higher heart rate, headaches, stomach cramps, and vomiting.
There are numerous heavy metals and other pollutants, including:
1- Arsenic
2- Iron
3- Manganese
4- Chromium
5- Tri Halo Methane’s
6- Radium
7- Chloride
These toxins end up in waterways and unlined pits where they can seep into groundwater, contaminating the sources for drinking water.
Health Risks
Chromium-6 presents major health risks, including liver issues, problems during pregnancy, and stomach and lung cancer. The halo acetic acids listed carries its own set of risks. These acids can increase the risk of cancer and cause problems during pregnancy.Radium in drinking water has alarming health concerns. High enough doses of radium contribute to bone cancer, kidney damage, and congenital defects.The chemicals in total trihalomethanes carry significant health risks in high enough doses. It can include bladder cancer and liver, kidney, and intestinal tumours.
So, one must start with checking in water quality at a rapid rate in order to avoid various environmental and health impacts.
