MindYOURWater

Aluminium is Earth’s most abundant metallic element, found in over 8% of Earth’s crust and has many practical usages for example in the automobile, construction and aircraft industries to produce metal alloys. Aluminium is a naturally occurring water contaminant, however, it has not been proven to have any long term negative health related effects, but short and high term exposure can cause short-lived symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, skin ulcers and skin rashes. There are also concerns that aluminium can contribute to senile dementia, but this has not been clarified.

Chloroform, also known as trichloromethane,  is a chemical that is used to make other chemicals and a byproduct of chlorinating water.  It can be found in groundwater, surface water and drinking water. Since Chloroform is used to treat water and reduce the risk of illness from bacteria and viruses, most people are exposed to it in their drinking water. Long-term exposure to chloroform can damage the liver and kidneys.

Copper is a naturally occurring, used to make many products including plumbing systems, therefore, it can enter drinking water through household plumbing systems. Consuming copper long periods of time can cause a variety of illnesses, such as vomiting, diarrhoea, stomach cramps, nausea, liver damage and kidney disease.

Heavy metals are normally present in drinking water in small amounts and support everyday body functioning; however, excess exposure to heavy metals is a hazard for health. Heavy metals enter groundwater geologically, as a consequence of agricultural activities and through industrial wastewater. Effect on the human body varies depending on the metal variety and concentration. It may include allergic dermatitis, renal arterial hypertension, liver and kidney diseases, bone and brain diseases, delays in the physical and mental development of infants, and more.

Iron is the fourth most abundant mineral that is found in the Earth’s crust, soil and rocks. Iron is beneficial to the human body, it gives the haemoglobin of blood its red colour and allows blood to carry oxygen. Since Iron is needed to transport oxygen in the blood, it does not usually present a health problem, however, some pathogenic (harmful) organisms require iron to grow, and the presence of iron particles makes the elimination of such organisms more difficult.

Whilst the majority of bacteria that is transmitted by water affects the gastrointestinal tract; there is a number of waterborne pathogens which are transmitted during bathing via inhalation and direct contact with water. The latter pathogens cause infections of the respiratory tract, brain and skin lesions.

Lead is a poisonous metal, the consumption of lead can cause long-term health and behavioural problems. There is no safe level of lead, it can damage the brain, kidneys and nervous system.

Mercury is an element that naturally occurs in rocks, soil, water, air and living beings. Short-term exposure can cause skin rashes, diarrhoea and respiratory distress. Long-term exposure can cause muscle tremors, irritability, personality changes and rashes.  Mercury can also cause nerve damage and may cause a loss of sensitivity in the hands and feet, difficulty walking or slurred speech. Mercury consumption can also cause paralysis or death in rare cases.

Petrochemicals is a term for a variety of compounds that can be derived from the petroleum refinery products. One is the most common ones are xylene, styrene, toluene, parabens and bisphenol A. A lot of these are known neurotoxins and have an adverse effect on human health; many of them accumulate in tissues/organs and cause brain, nerve and liver damage, as well as birth defects, cancer, asthma and hormonal disorders. Long term exposure leads to skin irritation, ulcers and allergic dermatitis. Please refer to individual contaminants to learn more about them individually.

Pharmaceuticals is a term for chemicals (both natural and synthetic) that exist in a variety of drugs, for example, prescription and over-the-counter drug as well as veterinary medicine. Pharmaceuticals penetrate surface water and drinking water through raw sewage and wastewater discharges. Consumption of water with a low concentration of pharmaceuticals is extremely unlikely to cause any significant adverse health impacts on humans. Some advanced water treatment processes target specific pharmaceuticals compounds and can achieve high removal rates (above 99%), namely, ozonation, advanced oxidation, activated carbon and membranes (e.g. nanofiltration, reverse osmosis).

Phenol is obtained through a distillation of coal and mainly used in the production of plastics, pharmaceutical products, as a general disinfectant and in consumer products such as mouthwashes, gargles and throat sprays. Phenol gets into the water following release from the manufacture, use and disposal of phenol-containing products, and by travelling through the soil. Consumption of ethanol can lead to gastrointestinal irritation, cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiovascular shock, respiratory distress, renal failure, dark urine, a variety of neurobiological effects, as well as coma and death.

Pollen is a fine powder of yellowish grain-like pores, originating from the fertilizing element of flowering plants. Pollen absorb heavy metals from the air and can have an indirect effect on human health when consumed.