Water contamination can be lethal for so many reasons. It is one of the leading causes of death and diseases all around the globe. The World Health Organisation lists 50 diseases that are caused solely by impure drinking water. Contaminated water is not safe for any human activity, much less drinking. While many initiatives are in place to deal with this issue, we are all at the risk of this problem.
In addition to other major health ailments, contaminated water can also adversely affect our neurological and mental health. More than 650 million people around the world still don’t have access to clean water, despite all the progress we made in the last two decades.
Let’s understand the link between contaminated water and its impact on our neurological and mental health.
Contaminated Water and Its Link With Neurobehavioral Effects
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have found a strong link between toxic chemicals found in contaminated water and neurobehavioral effects. The biggest example can be seen in the Camp Lejeune Water Contamination Lawsuit.
The Ongoing Case
This is an ongoing, high-profile case where several victims are filing lawsuits every day to get justice. During 1953 and 1987, over a million people got exposed to contaminated water and were diagnosed with several diseases, including different kinds of cancer. According to law firms, Camp Lejeune water contamination settlement amounts for each individual party will be different based on the injuries suffered, conditions diagnosed, and time spent at the base.
The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs provides compensation along with healthcare benefits for veterans who were exposed to toxic water and, as a result, suffered neurological effects while stationed at Camp Lejeune.
Lead Contamination And Its Effect On Mental Health
Lead can be found in old pipes, which can give it a direct supply to your drinking water. Lead contamination in drinking water can have adverse mental effects, especially on growing brains. It can lead to cognitive issues in the short term and even result in serious mental illnesses long after the exposure ends.
No amount of lead exposure can be considered safe, yet around 186 million people in the U.S. are drinking water with lead levels above 1 part per billion. Research shows a close connection between lead contamination and mental health issues like learning disabilities and memory loss, especially in children.
Ingestion of water exposed to lead can also cause central nervous system health problems such as muscle weakness, fatigue, delirium, or seizures.
Impact of Contaminated Water Can Vary
Water contamination can occur due to multiple reasons. To know the exact impact of the contaminated water, it is important to know the nature of toxic materials mixed in it. Generally, contaminated water can be very dangerous. It can include volatile organic compounds that can lead to serious health problems.
High-Level Contamination
Early childhood exposure to water that is contaminated with extremely toxic chemicals, such as tetrachloroethylene, can increase the risks of PTSD and bipolar disorder.
The contaminated water found at Camp Lejeune also had elements including Tetrachloroethylene, Trichloroethylene, Vinyl Chloride, and Benzene. These chemicals caused serious damage to the neurological and nervous systems of all the people who were exposed to them.
High-level contaminated water can even result in behavioral, emotional, and learning problems. Other neurobehavioral effects of the contaminated water can include headaches, birth defects, insomnia, anxiety, dementia, and lack of concentration.
Different Problems: Same Reason
In simple terms, the symptoms of neurological conditions can be different among individuals based on lifestyle and level of water contamination. While mild contamination can result in common health defects such as depression, tremors, and dizziness, water that is contaminated with harmful chemicals could result in several neurological diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Disease, involuntary muscle movement, also known as dystonia, or dyskinesia, and motor problems.
Conclusion
Taking care of your neurological and mental health is very important. So, you need to take steps to ensure that you are drinking clean water that is free from any toxic contamination. It can be worrisome to live in a community where you can’t be sure about the water quality. However, proactive steps must be taken to resolve these issues.
If you ever feel any symptoms of degrading neurological or mental health, seek appropriate medical care. To ensure water quality, look for information provided by the government or organizations that are involved in water management. By taking positive steps, you can protect yourself and everyone around you from the adverse effects of contaminated water.
