Silent Threat: Chemical Pollutants in Haitian Drinking Water
Water pollution poses a major health risk in Haiti, influenced by both natural geology and human activities. Numerous chemicals are found in drinking water, including chlorine byproducts, fluoride, lead, chromium, nitrates, pesticides, and hardness. Those chemicals are polluting the water from the soil. Natural sources like bedrock and anthropogenic activities like industrial waste, poor sanitation, and lack of water treatment contribute to pollution. The Exposure to these chemicals can lead to cancers, reproductive problems, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological issues. The study is objectively made to analyze the combined effects of natural geology and human actions on water quality and review the specific toxins found in Port-au-Prince's water supply.
Two key things are essential when
addressing the topic considering Haiti’s case. They can be listed as
follow:
1)
Environmental health and assessment of
health risks associated with chemical mixtures in drinking water.
2)
Medical geology and ONE HEALTH approach
in health risks assessment of drinking water.
Exposure to multiple pollutants in water, the case of Haiti,
makes assessing health risks difficult due to potential interactions and
combined effects which makes the need to use a cumulative Risk Assessment (CRA): Studying the
combined effects of pollutants through methods like Hazard Index (HI) and
Hazard Metric (HM) is important for accurate risk assessment.
Some
researchers are possible and recommended to be done in the future to ensure
public health protection from the complex risks posed by contaminated water.
Regarding
the medical geology and ONE HEALTH approach, Port-au-Prince faces severe water
quality challenges due to a combination of its vulnerable environment,
inadequate sanitation, and reliance on karst aquifers. The Groundwater in
Port-au-Prince is also contaminated with heavy metals, fecal coliforms, and
saltwater intrusion. However, lack of waste collection, drainage, and
wastewater treatment further jeopardizes water quality. The problem related to
the environmental health can be treated using a multidisciplinary Approach including
the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) specifically targets safe water
and sanitation access and the “One Health" approach linking
human, animal, and environmental health.
In this
study some specifics pollutants are selected, and their chemistry and
toxicology are addressed. Those selected are Fluoride, the water Hardness and
some metals as Chromium, Lead and Nickel.
Risks for
human health caused by the presence of Fluoride in drinking water.
Fluoride in drinking water has
both beneficial and harmful effects on human health. The Benefits are the fact
that fluoride strengthens bones and teeth, preventing dental caries. In
the other side the risks are the fact Excessive fluoride intake can lead
to dental fluorosis, especially in children, with potential mental
and physical health impacts. More research is therefore needed on the link
between high fluoride exposure and potential long-term health
problems, especially in children.
Water
hardness and human health
Hardness measures water's ability
to react with soap, influenced by dissolved calcium and magnesium (Ca2+
and Mg2+). Calcium and Magnesium are minerals which are vital for human health,
they contribute to bone health, muscle function, and various
enzymatic reactions. However, while essential, inadequate, or excessive
intake of either mineral can lead to adverse effects like
osteoporosis, kidney stones, and cardiovascular diseases. Research
suggests a potential link between extremely hard water (high CaCO3, low
Mg) and increased cardiovascular disease mortality, though the mechanism
is unclear. Hard water can have a potential impact on human health,
particularly in regions with limited access to diverse water. At the end of the
analysis, understanding the complex interplay between water
hardness, mineral intake, and individual health factors is crucial
for accurate risk assessment.
Effects
of chromium on human health
Chromium exists in two forms: as
trivalent (Cr (III)) and hexavalent (Cr (VI)) with vastly different properties.
Cr (III) is an essential ion for the
human metabolism, it occurs naturally, and is non-toxic while the Cr
(VI) is Highly toxic, mutagenic, and carcinogenic, mainly
originating from industrial activities. Chronic exposure to Cr (VI)
by Inhalation and ingestion can lead to respiratory issues, skin
ulcers, and even lung cancer. Although Cr (VI) is less useful and
more toxic than Cr (III) it stays more available in the environment since it is
readily absorbed than Cr (III).
Effects
of lead on human health
Lead exposure can cause a range of
health problems, including chronic kidney disease, irreversible
kidney damage, neurological impairment, reduced cognitive function
and other potentially fatal conditions. Infants and young children are
particularly the most vulnerable to lead's negative impacts due to their higher
absorption rates and developing nervous systems. Stricter regulations for lead
levels in drinking water exist, but effective implementation stay
challenging due to aging infrastructure and limitations of current control methods.
However, some Recommendations are prescribed for Improvement. They can be cited
as follows: 1) Enhance
monitoring, sampling, and modeling of lead levels in water systems. 2) Wider adoption of point-of-use
treatment devices for individual households. 3)
Replace all lead pipes and plumbing through comprehensive regulations and
public awareness campaigns to achieve "zero lead" water.
At the end it is urgent to address
lead contamination in drinking water and implement a multi-dimensional approach
to protect public health, with a focus on vulnerable populations like children.
Effects
of nickel on human health
Nickel is in Insoluble in water,
but when it comes to fine particles it ionizes as Ni (II) in water and
body fluids, making it easily absorbed. Those fine particles of nickel
pose high health risks ranging from acute intestinal issues to chronic effects
depending on the route and dosage. Death reported after oral ingestion of 570
mg/kg, with other symptoms like nausea, cramps, and diarrhea can
be described as the acute issue. In the other hand it can be chronic. Depending
on the exposure route, various effects can occur, including
immunological, hematological, hepatic, renal, and genotoxic
effects on development and reproduction.
The aim of this study is to
Investigate the threat of fluoride and heavy metals as
chromium, lead, nickel, in Port-au-Prince's water. It highlights
their potential health risks, particularly for children. Geological
factors and anthropogenic actions are contributing to water contamination in
Port-au-Prince.
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