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Introduction

Water Pollution Related Diseases - Case Studies Water is Essential for Life Water covers 71% of the earth's surface and makes up 65 % of our bodies. Everyone wants clean water to drink and for recreation. If water becomes polluted, it loses its value to us economically and aesthetically. It can become a threat to our health, to the survival of the aquatic life living in it and the wildlife that depends on it. Water pollution is one of the major sources of diseases because people consume it everyday and it is very difficult to restrict the flow of polluted water from one place to another. Since hundreds of years, water pollution has spread severe diseases amongst people all over the world. Most common water pollution diseases are Typhoid, Jaundice, Cholera, Diarrhoea, Migraine, Hay Fever, etc. The different types of Water Pollution are: Microbiological, Chemical, Nutrients, Suspended Matter, Oxygen Depleting Substances and Suspended Matter Case Study 1 Wastewater from manufacturing or chemical processes in industries contributes to water pollution. Industrial wastewater usually contains specific and readily identifiable chemical compounds. One such incident where water pollution occurred due to Industrial Effluent is described here: - * The Minamata Disease - Minamata is located on the Western coast of Kyushu, Japan's southernmost island. Its disturbing story began in the 1930s, as the town was continuing to shed its heritage as a poor fishing and farming village. ...read more.

Middle

The Minamata disease and its effects affect the lives of people even today and have spread from generation to generation. Chisso still operates in Minamata and now produces chemicals, fertilizer and floppy discs. The city has diminished in size, now almost 70% of its peak population in the 1960s. Mercury permeates sediment of bay, where fishing has long been prohibited. Case Study 2 When toxic substances enter lakes, streams, rivers, oceans, and other water bodies, they get dissolved or lie suspended in water or get deposited on the bed. This results in the pollution of water whereby the quality of the water deteriorates, affecting aquatic ecosystems. Pollutants can also seep down and affect the groundwater deposits. Water Pollution in the following case occurred due to Oxygen Depleting Substances and Chemicals * Itai-Itai Disease - Itai-itai disease was caused by cadmium poisoning due to mining in Toyama Prefecture in Japan. Increased demand for raw materials during the Russo-Japanese War and World War I, as well as new mining technologies from Europe, increased the output of the mines, putting the Kamioka Mines in Toyama among the world's top mines. Production increased even more before World War II. Starting in 1910 and continuing through 1945, cadmium was released in significant quantities by mining operations, and the disease first appeared around 1912. Prior to World War II the mining, controlled by the Mitsui Mining and Smelting Co., Ltd., increased to satisfy the wartime demand. ...read more.

Conclusion

In 1992, the average annual health expense compensation was 743 million yen. Agricultural damage was compensated with 1.75 billion yen per year, or a total of annually 2.52 billion yen. Another 620 million yen were invested annually to reduce further pollution of the river. CONCLUSION Clearly, the problems associated with water pollution have the capabilities to disrupt life on our planet to a great extent. The Government of India has passed laws to try to combat water pollution thus acknowledging the fact that water pollution is, indeed, a serious issue. But the government alone cannot solve the entire problem. It is ultimately up to us, to be informed, be responsible and get involved when it comes to the problems we face with water pollution. We must become familiar with our local water resources and learn about ways for disposing harmful household wastes so they don't end up in the local water bodies. Around our houses, we must keep litter, pet waste, leaves, and grass clippings out of gutters and storm drains. These are just a few of the many ways in which we, as humans, have the ability to combat water pollution. As we head into the 21st century, awareness and education will most assuredly continue to be the two most important ways to prevent water pollution. If these measures are not taken and water pollution continues, life on earth will suffer severely. - By Anuj Shah ...read more.

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