The dark side of water is that it contains thousands of toxic substances.

Water is a medium for the transmission of diseases such as typhoid, acute diarrhea, cholera, dysentery, hepatitis, etc. Water can dissolve waste products, chemical toxins, radioactive substances, and carcinogens, which then affect humans.

During a recent discussion on "Diseases Related to Water Use" at the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Health Communication and Education, Dr. Ngo Cao Lam from the Ho Chi Minh City Center for Preventive Medicine explained that water plays a very important role in the human body. Water is a crucial component of the body, with a higher proportion in blood plasma and internal organs. Water participates in the metabolism of substances, ensures the balance of electrolytes, and regulates body temperature.

Clean water can reduce the risk of kidney stones and remove toxins or waste products from the human body. Drinking enough water also helps prevent viral and bacterial infections. Water provides the body with essential elements such as iodine, fluoride, manganese, zinc, iron, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, which are necessary for personal hygiene, social sanitation, firefighting, and production requirements.

According to Dr. Lam, on average, a person needs 2-4 liters of water per day. People who do strenuous work in hot weather need more. The amount of water absorbed is to compensate for the amount of water excreted through the skin, lungs, kidneys, etc. Thirst is the first sign that the body is dehydrated.

Drinking water quality standards require water to be clear, colorless, odorless, and free from strange tastes. Organic and inorganic substances, pesticides, and disinfectants must be below the maximum permissible levels. Microbiological standards must also be met, meaning the absence of bacteria commonly found in feces, such as E. coli and Cloliform bacteria.

Water can cause illness in humans directly and indirectly through direct contact during bathing, often due to chemicals and microorganisms in the water, or through consumption. In such cases, the water may become contaminated with microorganisms and chemicals. Eating food contaminated by chemicals through the ecosystem or washing with contaminated water also poses many health risks.

The health risks to humans from using water contaminated with bacteria and chemicals can range from chronic and acute illnesses to death, outbreaks, and genetic mutations, affecting future generations.

Diseases caused by using contaminated water:

Gastrointestinal infections

Viral gastroenteritis: This usually lasts 24-72 hours and is accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. It occurs at all ages, but is most severe in young children and the elderly. Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can occur rapidly and be life-threatening if not treated promptly.

Cholera: Classified as an "extremely dangerous" disease. Symptoms include frequent loose stools, repeated vomiting, rapid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, cardiovascular collapse, exhaustion, and death if not treated promptly. The disease can cause epidemics, often occurring in the summer, after major natural disasters, and in areas with poor sanitation, insufficient clean water supply, and inadequate waste and sewage disposal.

Typhoid fever: This is a systemic infection caused by Salmonella Typhi or Salmonella Patatyphi A, B, and C. The disease is transmitted through the digestive tract and is characterized by prolonged fever, leading to dangerous complications such as gastrointestinal bleeding, encephalitis, and sepsis. Most cases are contracted through consuming contaminated food, drinking unboiled water contaminated with typhoid bacteria, or eating raw food washed with contaminated water.

Bacillary dysentery: This is an acute inflammatory bowel disease caused by Shigella bacteria. The disease is transmitted through the digestive tract via the fecal-oral route, either from person to person or from contaminated hands, and indirectly mainly through contaminated water and food. In our country, drinking water is the leading medium for transmitting cholera and dysentery due to the lack of boiling before consumption…

Amoebic dysentery: Caused by the bacterium Etamoeba Histolytica. Lesions primarily occur in the colon (amoebic dysentery) and can also occur outside the colon, such as amoebic disease of the liver, lungs, brain, and skin. Amoebic cysts infect humans through the digestive tract, via eating raw vegetables, drinking untreated water, etc.

E. coli-induced diarrhea: This is often caused by consuming contaminated food or can be transmitted through water from drinking water that has not been disinfected with chlorine... affecting public health and the environment.

In addition, there are diseases such as hepatitis A, hepatitis B, polio, rotavirus diarrhea, etc.

Parasitic worm infections

Diseases caused by roundworms, whipworms, pinworms, etc., are transmitted through water. This is because feces containing worm larvae contaminate the water.encountering favorable conditionsThe infection is transmitted from person to person. The disease is common in children, due to walking barefoot or playing in the ground... The larvae of these worms will enter the intestines, bile ducts, brain, eyes... seriously affecting their health.

Viral conjunctivitis

Adenoviruses play a role in conjunctivitis. These viruses are considered the cause of conjunctivitis in public swimming pools.

Skin diseases

Polluted water contains disease-carrying agents that are dangerous to human skin. If you bathe in contaminated water, your skin can become infected with bacteria or viruses, causing itching. If left untreated and you continue to use unclean water, the condition will worsen day by day. In the long term, it can lead to cancer or even death.

Diseases caused by using water contaminated with chemicals.

Some rivers or lakes contain acid rain, pesticides, industrial waste, and microorganisms that can be harmful to human health. Chlorine, a disinfectant in water, can also cause eye and nose irritation. Other chemicals, if present in drinking water, can cause various diseases such as lead and mercury poisoning, cancer, and even death.

Preventing diseases related to water use.

- Focusing on water treatment and disinfection plays a crucial role in water treatment plants. This actively contributes to preventing microorganisms from entering water sources, minimizing waterborne diseases, ensuring food safety and hygiene, and protecting water resources.

- To protect and conserve water resources, households should not exploit water or drill wells indiscriminately.

- Build and use sanitary toilets, especially in rural areas. Do not defecate indiscriminately in fields or into rivers, ponds, or lakes...

- Raise awareness of environmental protection, such as not littering or dumping waste indiscriminately.

- More attention should be paid to using food sources, fresh vegetables, and fruits that are guaranteed to be of good quality and free from pesticides.

- Fruits and vegetables should be washed under running water to remove parasite eggs and contaminants; food should be cooked thoroughly, and water should be boiled before drinking.

- Wash your hands frequently and properly, especially before preparing food, before eating, and after using the toilet.

- Drink plenty of water, especially in hot weather, during activities that cause excessive sweating, when you have a fever or diarrhea, or when you are thirsty...

- Everyone should get regular health checkups to detect and treat illnesses promptly.

According to Vnexpress - PC