Research Paper : World Awareness Research

Not only is pollution the cause of the death of many organisms essential to ecological balance, but human drinking water has also been affected.

This situation showcases the major dependency on the unique physical and chemical properties of water by displaying the results of water contamination. The switch from Detroit to Flint water system proved to be a fatal decision as the chemical and physical properties of the water were altered by both the iron and lead metals. The addition of high levels of chloride left the water exposed to contamination of lead and iron. The corrosion of the pipes occurred when the chlorine disinfectant reacted with the elemental metals of iron and lead. The chemical property of water was altered with these high levels of lead, chloride, and iron. This contamination also left the water with different physical properties such as a reddish-brown colour and a pungent odour as opposed to a colourless and odourless liquid. The manipulated physical and chemical properties of water led to irritability, developmental delay, learning difficulties, hearing loss, and many more. Thus, this situation showcases how living things depend for their survival on the unique physical and chemical properties of water as with these alterations it can lead to lethal consequences.

The very chemicals that are used to treat our water to kills deadly toxins are the same chemicals that can pose health problems when digested for a period of time (EPA 2013). For instance, excessive consumption of fluoride over a lifetime may lead to increased likelihood of bone fractures in adults, and tooth enamel pits in young children. Lead consumption leads to physical and mental development in children and mercury consumption leads to kidney damage. (Birmingham Water Works).

Contaminated water poses health risks on humans, pets, wild animals, and farm animals. (Mcdermott-Levy 2013)

The environmental issue of interest is clean drinking water and the abuse of our water sources. The interest in this discipline is because clean water and water abuse have been an issue for many years. Many countries around the world and in our own back yard lack clean drinking water. The cause of unclean water can be caused by bad agriculture practices and industrialization. The cause of these unhealthy practices may cause waters to be contaminated with a mineral called Chromium; this mineral exposes a high risk of cancer. The county of Gwinnett is full of lakes, rivers, streams, creeks and ponds but the only source of drinking water that is disposed to residents comes from a man-made lake called Lake Lanier. The lake provides clean drinking

In 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) brought together experts in toxicology, water chemistry, water quality and health, water treatment and pharmacology to form a “Drinking–water” directive and policy. The quality Committee along with additional experts examined pharmaceuticals in drinking water, and the human health risk associated with pharmaceuticals in drinking water.

Toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury in our environment have links to the causes of cancer, birth defects and mental illness. How can Americans be certain that the water in their household is safe to drink and toxic free? For the people in Flint, Michigan, it is too late for many have been already affected by such toxicity in their water supply. Toxic chemicals in our environment must be better controlled and America’s infrastructure must be properly repaired. This is an urgent need and the elected leaders must be held accountable for any neglect of this most important issue.

Tap water is not as safe for drinking as many people assume in many places and as many governments tell us. Government bureaucrats make it seem as if their regulatory efforts are perfect and complete, but there are many gaping holes in them.

By the middle of the twentieth century, spectacular efforts to improve water-quality treatment and major investments in modern drinking-water systems had almost eliminated the risks of unsafe water. Those of us who have the good fortune to live in the industrialized world now take safe drinking water entirely for granted. We turn on a faucet and out comes safe, often free fresh water. But those efforts and investments are in danger of being wasted, and the public benefit of safe tap water lost, in favor of private gain in the form of little plastic water bottles.

All around the world, countries are fighting to keep their drinking water clean. Whether it’s streams, rivers, or lakes, countries have taken great measures to maintain high quality drinking water for both human consumption and animal consumption. Countries must first understand the sources of the polltion, then determine the best methods to eliminate the pollution. Clean drinking water is a valuable resource and a the key to human survival. Plants and animals also depend on water for their growth, so all water must be kept clean. The major contributors to water pollution can be classified in three categories, industrial, agricultural and municipal.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) strictly regulates the levels of health-risking contaminants that are allowed in drinking water, to try and ensure that tap water, used for drinking, meets certain standards. Chlorine is used by most water treatment facilities in the United States, to clean the water drinking supplies. The EPA has determined that chlorine levels of four parts per million, or less, are safe for human consumption. While, the chlorination of drinking water has been credited with increasing life expectancy, and being one of our nation’s major public health achievements, there have been studies, that link chlorination to higher occurrences of some types of cancer, and other health problems, including eczema, heart disease, asthma, and higher miscarriage rates. When chlorine interacts with various organic compounds in the fresh water, trihalomethanes (THMs) are produced, which are environmental pollutants, and carcinogenic. When THMS are ingested, they foster the growth of free radicals, which are known to harm or destroy vital body

Its technicians understand that there are more than 20 common pollutants in America’s water supply, varying city by city. Some of the most common contaminants include:

Water pollution has been a rising crisis in the United States for over a century. Since the Industrial Age, harmful substances have contaminated numerous streams, rivers, and lakes across the country. Clean drinking water is a valuable resource and a key to human survival. Plants and animals also depend on water for their growth, so all water must be kept clean. We have taken small strides to ensure a high quality drinking water for both human and animal consumption. Various laws prohibiting numerous toxic chemicals and wastes from infiltrating our water supply have been made to ensure the safety of our people. However, the precautions we have taken are only temporary and we have yet to come up with a long-term solution. Davey’s article on Flint’s water crisis does a great job detailing how failing to create a reliable and trustworthy solution to contain contaminated water has become a substantial concern across the country.

Along with air pollution, water pollution is the other danger that is lurking. In the world, the prevailing figure is that approximately five million people, or even higher, die every year from drinking polluted water. The cause is contamination from sewerage, toxic chemicals, as well as, metals, and oils being dumped into streams and water ways. These contaminants can affect bodies of water and ground water as well. In some parts of the world, water carrying human waste can flow into drinking water,

To become as a human need to have the main basic source in order to have a better life. In the United States, most citizens get the water from their local community water system. “Approximately 85 percent of the U.S. population receives its water from community water systems. Community water systems are required to meet the standards