Kategóriák: Minden - crisis - health - water - research

a Dhruvi Shah 2 éve

81

Water Contamination & Health Effects

The issue of water contamination presents both immediate and long-term challenges impacting public health and the environment. In the short term, contaminated water supplies can lead to job losses, scarcity of potable water, and deteriorating water infrastructure.

Water Contamination
 & Health Effects

Water Contamination & Health Effects

Biology

Contamination & Cancer
Chromium enters the blood stream and causes oxidation reactions with the blood cells

Leads to hemolysis and liver and kidney failure

E. Coli enters the blood stream, body systems

Body has inflammatory response and increased possibility of sepsis

Chemistry

Factory Waste Products
Waterborne pathogens produce toxins which cause acute poisoning, immune system suppression and reproductive failure

Consequences

Long Term
Environmental

Fish and other oceanic wildlife consume waste products and pollutants

Countless years of finding a solution and preventative methods regarding water contamination

Unwanted waste products and pollutants can sink into sediments, impacting large coastal areas

Health

High blood pressure

Death

Kidney failure (hemolytic uremic) syndrome

Brain damage

Seizures

Diabetes

Increased chance of developing bowel cancer

Increased number of self-reported arthritis cases

Research
Short Term
Scarce water supply
Poor quality drinking water
Lost jobs
Degraded quality of water pipes and systems

Crisis

Walkerton E. Coli Water Outbreak

May, 2000

Walkerton, Ontario (Bruce County)

Bacteria from cattle manure was drawn into a shallow aquifer of a nearby well

E. Coli: anaerobic bacteria found in the outdoor environment, animal and human intestines and food

Bacterial contamination of municipal water

Citizens of Walkerton: seven individuals died, hundreds infected by contaminated water

Stan and Frank Koebel, Walkerton Public Utilities Commission operators

Walkerton's water operators did not receive formal training for their jobs

Water treatment was conducted improperly after heavy rain fall from April to May

Hinkley Groundwater Contamination
Why?

Pacific Gas & Electric Company dumped 1,400 liters of chromium-tainted waste waster

When?

1950s - 1990 first dump - contamination discovery

Where?

Hinkley, a small farming community

What?

Chromium 6: a cancer-causing heavy metal

Groundwater in Hinkley was contaminated by chromium 6

How?

Pollutants seeped into water after being dumped into unlined ponds at the utility company's compress station

Who?

Hinkley residents

PG & E: the company that initiated the groundwater pollution

Erin Brockovich: advocated for the environment and health and safety of the town