What We Should Know About Water In Our Health

Amazing Liquid But Worrying Water Future

This article is one article more about water and is part of "Articles Water-series" we have been published before, due the importance and relevance of this miraculous mineral in our health.


The pure water is gold for health, welfare and appearance but usually we do not know how is the real quality of this natural gift,especially when this has been in a process of treatment to consume it.

Water is a social problem

What would you do if you knew that in the water we consume on a daily basis present a small percentage of highly toxic industrial wastes? Did you know that the water you drik could cause cancer and other serious illnesses?


Substances that can contain the drinking water that arrives at our home: Particles:

* Sediment, sand and flakes
* Chemical : inorganic and organic
* Microbiology: protozoa: Giardia lamblia, cryptosporidium oocysts: cryptosporidium, bacteria and viruses.


How is pollutes the water?
The water of the surfaces, i.e. that of the rivers, lakes, streams, etc… can be contaminated by various causes such as: in the feces and urine of people and the animals, by the use of pesticides, garbage, by the soap, by dead animals, etc.


The groundwater which is found below the surface can also become contaminated by various causes, such as: by filtration of the latrines, waste dumps, chemical pesticides, industrial waste and pesticides.
In addition, there is the lead of  the welds on the pipes, microbes that grow within the pipes or tanks, corroded pipes and vinyl chloride of the PVC piping.


Industries such as agriculture, mining and oil yield chemical waste in the sources of water causing the water is not safe for drinking or food preparation, bathing or irrigate the fields.


Water and health
In some places, the water may be contaminated by toxic substances that occur naturally in the earth, for example arsenic and fluoride, a substance that causes brown spots on the teeth and severe weakness in the bones. 

As the underground water is depleted, the toxic chemicals are concentrated  in the water that remains and the risk increases. These chemical substances, whether industrial or from the earth itself, are usually invisible and very difficult to detect.


The process of chlorination or water disinfection is achieved by adding sodium hypochlorite at 5% to water, which removes most of the bacteria, fungi, viruses, spores, and the algae present in the water. This process is typically conducted in the cistern tanks, where the water is stored at the beginning of the process.


However, a number of studies and researchers have identified trihalomethanes in  tap water with concentrations very higher than the European average, which poses a risk of a 20% average to develop bladder cancer associated with these compounds in areas with high concentration and long periods of exposure.


Implication for health:

Lead:
Anemia, low-weight babies, increases blood pressure in adults, damages the brain, decreased learning ability in children, among others. The extent of the damage  depends on the amount of time people are exposed. The known effects of biochemical changes vary mild if the degree of exposure is low, to neurological problems and poisoning, even death if the level of contact is extremely high.

Mercury:
Damages the kidneys and nervous system, allergic reactions, skin irritation, fatigue and headache, as well as negative effects on reproduction.

Radon:
Increases risk of developing stomach cancer

One of the greatest challenges of the twenty-first century and governments is to ensure sufficient water for the humanity welfare  by promoting and favoring the sustainable development and a ecological home.
With effective water treatments we can do get to our homes pure water free of toxins.