Water pollution occurs when the natural quality of the water is altered, making it unfit for human consumption. Pollution of the water is caused by a variety of sources. Chemicals, pathogens, and physical chemistry or sensory changes are all examples of pollutants in water. Waterborne infections can be caused by pathogens. Infectious diseases in humans are one of the most devastating consequences of water pollution. According to a UN report, 80 percent of urban waste in India ends up in the country's rivers, posing the greatest hazard to human health. This article will explain to you about the effects of water pollution on human health which will be helpful in preparing the Environment syllabus for the UPSC Civil service exam.

Effects of Water Pollution on Human Health

• Microplastics can enter the body through drinking water or eating contaminated seafood.
• Microplastics have been linked to oxidative stress, inflammatory reactions, and metabolic disorders in humans, according to research.
• Contaminated water has significant negative effects on pregnant women who are exposed to chemicals; it increases the rate of low birth weight, affecting foetal health.
• Hair loss, liver cirrhosis, renal failure, and neural disorder are all caused by metal contaminated water.
• Domestic and hospital sewage include a variety of dangerous germs, and dumping it into the water without sufficient treatment can result in an outbreak of deadly diseases like typhoid and cholera.
• Metals in industrial wastewaters such as lead, zinc, arsenic, copper, mercury, and cadmium harm humans and other creatures.
• Consumption of arsenic-polluted water causes arsenic accumulation in body parts such as blood, nails, and hair, resulting in skin lesions, rough skin, dry and thickened skin, and eventually skin cancer.
• Bacterial action converts mercury molecules in wastewater to extremely poisonous methyl mercury, which can induce numbness in the limbs, lips, and tongue, hearing, blurred eyesight, and mental instability.
• In humans, mercury pollution of water bodies produces Minamata (neurological condition).
• Lead poisoning is caused by lead (Lead interferes with a variety of body processes and is toxic to many organs and tissues).
• Anemia, headaches, muscle weakness, and a bluish line around the gums are all symptoms of lead poisoning.
• Cadmium-contaminated water can induce itai itai disease, also known as ouch-ouch disease (a painful bone and joint condition), as well as lung and liver cancer.

Other Diseases

Bacterial Diseases

• The most common causes of diarrhoea are untreated drinking water and fecal contamination of water.
• Campylobacter jejuni causes diarrhoea in 4% to 15% of the world's population.
• The most common symptoms of diarrhoea include fever, stomach pain, nausea, and headache.
• Shigellosis is an infection caused by the Shigella bacteria.
• Humans' digestive tracts are affected, and the intestinal lining is damaged.
• Salmonella bacteria are discovered in contaminated water, causing intestinal inflammation and, in some cases, death.

Viral Diseases

• Hepatitis is a viral infection of the liver caused by polluted water.
• Hepatitis symptoms include jaundice, loss of appetite, weariness, pain, and a high temperature.
• If it continues over an extended period of time, it may even be deadly and can result in death.
• Encephalitis is an inflammatory disease spread by mosquito bites. The eggs of the Culex mosquito are laid in contaminated water.
• Poliomyelitis is caused by the poliomyelitis virus, which is spread through contaminated water.
• It produces a sore throat, fever, nausea, constipation, diarrhoea, and paralysis in certain people.
• Viruses such as rotaviruses, adenoviruses, caliciviruses, and the Norwalk virus, which breed in contaminated water, cause gastroenteritis.

Parasitic Diseases

• The symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include diarrhoea, loose or watery stools, stomach pains, and an upset stomach.
• Entamoeba histolytica, a parasite which attacks the stomach lining, is found in the contaminated water.
• According to the WHO, there are around 4 billion diarrheal cases worldwide, with 2.2 million fatalities.

Conclusion

Water pollution is a global issue, and the world community is experiencing the worst consequences of polluted water. The discharge of domestic and agricultural wastes, population growth, excessive use of pesticides and fertilisers, and urbanisation are major sources of water pollution. Bacterial, viral, and parasitic diseases spread through polluted water and harm human health. It is recommended that a proper waste disposal system be in place, and that waste be treated before entering the river. To control pollution, educational and awareness programmes should be organised.

FAQs

MCQs

1. Which of the following diseases is commonly associated with polluted water?

A. Asthma
B. Dysentery
C. Diabetes
D. Arthritis

2. What heavy metal is often found in polluted water and linked to cancer?

A. Zinc
B. Arsenic
C. Sodium
D. Magnesium

3. What is a common consequence of nutrient pollution in water bodies?

A. Coral bleaching
B. Acid rain
C. Algal blooms
D. Ozone depletion

4. Which of the following is a chemical contaminant linked to neurological disorders?

A. Mercury
B. Chlorine
C. Iron
D. Potassium

5. Which sector's runoff is the primary source of endocrine disruptors in water bodies?

A. Mining
B. Agriculture
C. Forestry
D. Construction

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Analyze the impact of chemical pollutants in water on human health.

Answer: Chemical pollutants like mercury, lead, and pesticides in water pose severe health risks, causing neurological disorders, cancers, kidney failure, and reproductive issues. Chronic exposure to heavy metals like arsenic results in long-term damage to organs and increases the risk of developmental disorders. Industrial waste, agricultural runoff, and improper waste disposal are key contributors to chemical pollution in water.

Q2: Discuss the link between waterborne diseases and access to clean water.

Answer: Waterborne diseases like cholera, dysentery, and typhoid are directly linked to inadequate access to clean drinking water. Contaminated water sources, often polluted by sewage and industrial waste, serve as breeding grounds for pathogens. Improving water quality through proper sanitation, waste management, and treatment facilities is critical to reducing the incidence of these diseases.

Q3: Evaluate the role of government policies in controlling water pollution and protecting public health.

Answer: Government policies such as the Clean Water Act, National Water Mission, and Ganga Action Plan aim to regulate industrial discharge, promote water conservation, and ensure the treatment of sewage. Effective enforcement of these policies, alongside public awareness campaigns, is essential to mitigating water pollution. However, challenges like inadequate infrastructure and lack of political will often hamper their success.

Previous Year Questions on Water Pollution

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2020

Question: Which of the following pollutants is primarily responsible for neurological disorders when found in drinking water?
A. Iron
B. Arsenic
C. Mercury
D. Lead

Answer: C

Explanation: Mercury is a neurotoxic metal that, when present in polluted water, can lead to serious neurological conditions.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2019 (GS Paper 3)

Question: "Water pollution has far-reaching impacts on human health and ecosystems." Discuss the challenges and solutions for mitigating water pollution in India.

Answer: Water pollution poses a grave threat to human health by spreading waterborne diseases and introducing toxic chemicals into drinking water. Industrial waste, sewage, and agricultural runoff are key contributors. To address this, stringent regulation of industrial discharge, promotion of waste treatment plants, and community-based water conservation efforts are essential. Effective implementation of policies like the National Water Mission and stronger public-private partnerships will help mitigate pollution.