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Both acute and chronic health effects can be associated with contaminants in drinking water.
Acute effects are those that develop within hours or days of exposure. Different viruses, bacteria, parasites and nitrate can contribute to acute health effects, some of which can be fatal to immune-compromised individuals or infants.
Acute effects are those that develop within hours or days of exposure. Different viruses, bacteria, parasites and nitrate can contribute to acute health effects, some of which can be fatal to immune-
In contrast to acute health effects, chronic health effects are associated with exposure over many years to contaminated drinking water. These can include birth defects, cancer, nervous system or kidney disorders. Recent studies have shown a link between long-
Hepatitis B virus:
Viral disease that attacks the liver
Viral disease that attacks the liver
Cholera bacteria:
Acute bacterial intestinal infection
Acute bacterial intestinal infection
Giardia parasite:
Parasitic intestinal disease
Parasitic intestinal disease
These effects include acquiring actual viruses and a number of gastrointestinal illnesses. High levels of nitrate can interfere with the ability of an infant’s blood to carry oxygen, a potentially fatal condition known as “blue baby syndrome”.
Cryptosporidium
Parasite:
Parasitic diarrheal disease
Parasite:
Parasitic diarrheal disease
(This is an example of an emergent pathogen resistant to standard water treatment methods.)
Norwalk virus:
Gastrointestinal viral infection
Gastrointestinal viral infection
Complicating the picture in recent years are a number of emergent diseases, such as “Cryptosporidium,” that are highly resistant to standard water treatments.