Water pollution continues to be a significant public health issue in Bangladesh. Large populations rely on contaminated water sources for drinking, cooking, and other daily needs, and the health consequences of water pollution are severe. Diseases caused by water pollution affect millions of people, leading to widespread suffering, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
In this blog, we will explore what diseases are caused by water pollution and focus on five key health conditions that arise due to polluted water in Bangladesh. Understanding these diseases caused by water pollution is essential to addressing the public health crisis and implementing effective water management solutions.
What Are the Diseases Caused by Water Pollution?
Water pollution in Bangladesh primarily results from contaminating water bodies with harmful substances such as industrial waste, agricultural runoff, untreated sewage, and toxic chemicals. These pollutants degrade the quality of drinking water, making it unsafe for human consumption. Exposure to polluted water leads to various health issues, including both acute and chronic conditions. Below are five diseases caused by water pollution that are prevalent in Bangladesh.
1. Waterborne Diseases
One of the most common diseases caused by water pollution in Bangladesh is waterborne illnesses. These diseases are caused by ingesting or coming into contact with contaminated water. Pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and protozoa present in polluted water lead to severe gastrointestinal infections. The most prevalent waterborne diseases in Bangladesh include:
- Diarrhea: One of the leading causes of death in children under five, diarrhea is often a direct result of consuming contaminated water.
- Cholera: A life-threatening bacterial infection caused by consuming untreated water, leading to severe dehydration.
- Typhoid Fever: Caused by the bacteria Salmonella typhi, typhoid spreads through contaminated water and can cause prolonged fever, weakness, and gastrointestinal issues.
2. Skin Diseases Caused by Water Pollution
Skin diseases caused by water pollution are another significant health issue in Bangladesh. Polluted water can carry harmful contaminants like bacteria, fungi, and toxins that cause various skin conditions. The most common skin diseases caused by water pollution include:
- Leptospirosis: Caused by exposure to water contaminated with the Leptospira bacteria, leading to fever, muscle pain, and skin rashes.
- Eczema and Dermatitis: Prolonged exposure to polluted water can cause chronic skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis, leading to irritation, redness, and itching.
- Scabies: Water contaminated with sewage provides a breeding ground for the Sarcoptes scabies mite, leading to scabies outbreaks in vulnerable populations.
3. Nutritional Deficiencies and Malnutrition
Another serious consequence of consuming contaminated water is the impact on nutritional health. Polluted water disrupts access to clean drinking water, reducing the availability of essential nutrients. Contaminants such as arsenic, fluoride, and heavy metals lead to long-term health issues such as:
- Iron Deficiency Anemia: High levels of iron deficiency caused by arsenic contamination in groundwater are widespread in Bangladesh, leading to fatigue, weakness, and reduced cognitive development, particularly in children.
- Iodine Deficiency: Water polluted with heavy metals like arsenic and fluoride affects thyroid function, contributing to iodine deficiency disorders, including goiter and hypothyroidism.
4. Hepatic Diseases
Hepatic diseases are another major health concern caused by water pollution in Bangladesh. Polluted water often contains harmful toxins such as heavy metals and pesticides, which can damage the liver over time. Key hepatic diseases include:
- Hepatitis A and E: These viral infections are transmitted through contaminated water and cause inflammation of the liver, leading to jaundice, fever, and fatigue.
- Liver Cirrhosis: Chronic exposure to pollutants such as arsenic in water contributes to liver damage, leading to fibrosis and cirrhosis.
5. Reproductive and Child Health Issues
Polluted water also affects reproductive and child health, particularly in pregnant women and young children. Waterborne contaminants impact fetal development, leading to developmental delays and birth defects.
- Reproductive Health Disorders: Exposure to arsenic-contaminated water can result in increased risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, and congenital disabilities.
- Child Mortality and Stunting: Contaminated water contributes to malnutrition and stunted growth in children, increasing the risk of developmental delays and chronic illness.
Addressing Water Pollution and Its Health Impacts
To combat these diseases caused by water pollution in Bangladesh, the government, along with public and private stakeholders, must prioritize efforts to improve water quality. Here are some key strategies:
- Treatment of Contaminated Water Sources: Installing water treatment facilities that employ advanced technologies like ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis can remove harmful contaminants like arsenic, fluoride, and bacteria, making the water safe for consumption.
- Access to Safe Drinking Water: Expanding access to clean drinking water through community-based water systems and ensuring proper sanitation can significantly reduce the prevalence of waterborne diseases.
- Public Awareness and Education: Educating communities about the health risks associated with polluted water and promoting hygiene practices like boiling or filtering water can help reduce exposure to contaminants.
- Monitoring and Regulation: Strengthening regulatory frameworks to monitor industrial and agricultural pollution and ensuring compliance with water quality standards can mitigate the sources of water contamination.
Ion Exchange Solutions for Water Purification in Bangladesh
Ion Exchange, a leader in water treatment solutions, has been instrumental in combating water pollution in Bangladesh. By providing advanced water treatment technologies and systems, Ion Exchange helps to improve water quality and reduce the prevalence of diseases caused by water pollution. Their solutions include innovative water purification systems that remove contaminants from drinking water, making it safe for consumption.
INDION Lampak, developed by Ion Exchange, is a compact, modular unit designed to meet the drinking water needs of communities and industrial applications. It integrates a pump, static mixer, flocculator, lamella clarifier, gravity sand filter, and chemical dosing systems to produce disinfected water with less than 5 mg/l TSS from feed water containing up to 500 mg/l TSS. INDION Lampak is easy to operate, requires minimal maintenance, and can be powered by a diesel generator or renewable energy, making it ideal for areas without electricity. Its lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials and space-efficient design ensure easy transport, operation, and maintenance.
It effectively removes dissolved iron from feed water, which is commonly present as ferrous bicarbonate in groundwater. This advanced filter uses a catalytic oxidation process, eliminating the need for chemicals and ensuring that the treated water contains less than 0.3 ppm of iron. Designed for convenience, the NGIRF features a corrosion-resistant construction with a Fiber Reinforced Plastic (FRP) pressure vessel and PVC pipes. It is pre-assembled, tested, and equipped with user-friendly valves, making it a reliable and easy-to-operate solution for treating water with high iron content.
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INDION Water Potability Test Kit
The INDION Water Potability Test Kit is a comprehensive tool designed to measure the eight crucial chemical parameters of drinking water as specified by the Bureau of Indian Standards. This user-friendly kit provides accurate and quick results for pH, total hardness, alkalinity, chloride, fluoride, chlorine, iron, and nitrate. Ideal for use by semi-skilled individuals, it offers an affordable solution for ensuring safe drinking water.
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INDION Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants
Decentralized sewage treatment solutions, like the INDION, Packaged Sewage Treatment Plants, are designed as compact, single-tank units that generate low sludge volumes and require minimal electricity, making them highly cost-effective. These systems are available in capacities ranging from 10 to 100 m³/d, and for larger needs, advanced options using Fluidized Media Reactor (FMR), Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR), and Membrane Bio-Reactor (MBR) processes are offered to handle higher flow rates efficiently.
Conclusion
Water pollution in Bangladesh poses severe health risks through the spread of various diseases caused by water pollution. From waterborne illnesses to skin diseases, the impact on public health is profound and requires urgent action. Understanding what are the diseases caused by water pollution is the first step toward creating effective solutions.
By investing in advanced water treatment technologies such as ultrafiltration and working with experts, Bangladesh can mitigate water pollution, safeguard public health, and create a sustainable future.
Connect with Ion Exchange experts today to learn about our water treatment solutions.