4 Harmful Effects of Contaminated Water

People come into contact with numerous pollutants in their environments each day. Sometimes, these pollutants are harmless, particularly if a person only has contact with a small amount of the substance for a short period of time. However, other pollutants can cause quite a bit of harm to many different systems of the body. Water sources are one of the main ways that people ingest harmful chemicals, especially when the chemical cannot be detected by sight or smell. Here are four harmful effects of contaminated water.

Cancer

Contaminated water can carry chemicals that may cause cancer after a long period of exposure. For example, at a military base in North Carolina, some people experienced Camp Lejeune water contamination side effects such as liver, kidney, and lymphatic systems cancers after the water there was found to contain trichloroethylene. In addition, some scientific studies have found a positive correlation between trichloroethylene exposure and tumors showing up in these locations of the body. This chemical tends to enter water sources through groundwater contamination. Many forms of cancer can be treatable if detected early, however, late detection makes the disease much more difficult to treat.

Cognitive Deterioration

The consumption of chemicals such as perchloroethylene can cause cognitive deterioration in the form of lowered ability to process information and recall what things look like, particularly when it comes to deciphering between different colors. These symptoms can cause a significant change to a person’s quality of life, especially if they are employed in a highly visual field such as the arts or engineering. Exposure to certain chemicals can also negatively impact the nervous system, which consists of the brain and spinal cord and is responsible for controlling the body’s thoughts and movements.

Fetal Defects

If you are pregnant and unknowingly drink contaminated water, there is a significant chance that some of the damage will be passed via in-utero exposure. Smaller bodies are more at risk for contaminants that cause harm, and certain chemicals can lead to low birth weight, cardiac defects, preterm delivery, and other conditions. Some of the chemicals that studies indicate can cause harm include arsenic, lead, pesticides, nitrates, and trihalomethanes. If you are expecting and suspect that the water source in your home may be contaminated, it can be beneficial to get your water tested by a reputable professional. Water containing more chloride is considered contaminated, drinking it can lead to cancer associated with the large intestine, urinary sac, bladder and arteries. Avoid drinking contaminated water because if water is life then drinking pure water is essential for life. If a pregnant woman is constantly drinking water containing fluoride, then it is harmful for the woman as well as the unborn baby, due to which the child can also be born crippled.

Digestive Issues

Not all contaminants in the water cause permanent or serious issues, but they can still cause some very unpleasant side effects. For example, polluted water can contribute to having a case of stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea, or a skin condition. Diarrhea is one of the ways that the body attempts to get rid of a harmful substance, and skin conditions may indicate that you are having a reaction to the pollutant. Many people consume contaminated water while traveling, and having diarrhea is especially inconvenient while traveling where you may not have access to a restroom at all times. By drinking clean water, you keep yourself hydrated, in the same way if you drink contaminated water, then you may have a problem of dehydration. Your throat keeps getting dry time and again and you feel thirsty. You may also have dizziness and fainting in this condition. So avoid drinking dirty water.

Be aware of these four harmful effects of drinking contaminated water in order to protect your health.