Climate Change and Water-Related Illnesses Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What are some of the implications of extreme precipitation events on drinking water supplies and water-related illness?

Extreme precipitation events have been statistically linked to increased levels of pathogens in treated drinking water supplies and to an increased incidence of gastrointestinal illness in children. Small community or private groundwater wells or other drinking water systems where water is untreated or minimally treated are especially susceptible to contamination following extreme precipitation events. Runoff from more frequent and intense extreme precipitation events will contribute to contamination of drinking water sources with pathogens and algal toxins.

How does climate change affect marine foodborne illnesses?

Increases in sea surface temperatures, changes in precipitation and freshwater delivery to coastal waters, and sea level rise will continue to affect Vibrio growth and are expected to increase human exposure risk. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) that contaminate seafood with toxins are becoming increasingly frequent and persistent in coastal marine waters. The projected impacts of climate change on toxic marine harmful algae include geographic range changes in both warm- and cold-water species, changes in abundance and toxicity, and changes in the timing of the seasonal window of growth. Climate change, especially continued warming, will dramatically increase the burden of some marine HAB-related diseases in some parts of the United States, with strong implications for disease surveillance and public health preparedness.

What is the most frequently reported fish poisoning in humans and what is the link between it and warm sea surface temperatures?

Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is caused by toxins produced by the benthic algae Gambierdiscus and is the most frequently reported fish poisoning in humans. There is a well-established link between warm sea surface temperatures and increased occurrences of CFP.

What are some of the implications of climate-related hydrologic changes on freshwater management and supply?

Changes in precipitation and runoff, combined with changes in consumption and withdrawal, have reduced surface and groundwater supplies in many areas, primarily in the western United States. Signup and view all the answers

How does extreme precipitation events affect drinking water supplies and human health?

Extreme precipitation events have been statistically linked to increased levels of pathogens in treated drinking water supplies and to an increased incidence of gastrointestinal illness in children. Signup and view all the answers

What are the projected impacts of climate change on toxic marine harmful algae?

The projected impacts of climate change on toxic marine harmful algae include geographic range changes in both warm- and cold-water species, changes in abundance and toxicity, and changes in the timing of the seasonal window of growth. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Climate Change and Water-Related Illness

Humans are exposed to agents of water-related illness through drinking water, recreational waters, and fish and shellfish consumption.
About 15% of the US population relies on untreated private wells or other private sources for their drinking water, which are not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Extreme precipitation events have been statistically linked to increased levels of pathogens in treated drinking water supplies and to an increased incidence of gastrointestinal illness in children.
Small community or private groundwater wells or other drinking water systems where water is untreated or minimally treated are especially susceptible to contamination following extreme precipitation events.
High rainfall amounts increase nutrient loading in drinking water sources, which in turn increases the likelihood of harmful cyanobacterial blooms that produce algal toxins.
Climate-related hydrologic changes such as those related to flooding, drought, runoff, snowpack and snowmelt, and saltwater intrusion have implications for freshwater management and supply.
Changes in precipitation and runoff, combined with changes in consumption and withdrawal, have reduced surface and groundwater supplies in many areas, primarily in the western United States.
Runoff from more frequent and intense extreme precipitation events will contribute to contamination of drinking water sources with pathogens and algal toxins.
Climate change is expected to contribute to contamination of recreational waters and increased exposure to agents of water-related illness.
Increases in flooding, coastal inundation, and nuisance flooding will negatively affect coastal infrastructure and increase chances for pathogen contamination, especially in populated areas.
Water-related contaminants as well as naturally occurring harmful bacteria and algae can be accumulated by fish or shellfish, providing a route of human exposure through consumption.
Enteric viruses found in sewage are the primary causes of gastrointestinal illness due to shellfish consumption, and rising sea surface temperatures have contributed to an expanded geographic and seasonal range in outbreaks associated with shellfish.Climate Change and Marine Foodborne Illnesses in the United States
There are no national projections for the associated risk of illness from shellfish consumption.
Many local and state agencies have developed plans for closing shellfish beds in the event of threshold-exceeding rain events that lead to loading of these contaminants and deterioration of water quality.
Regional models project increased abundance and extended seasonal windows of growth of Vibrio pathogens.
Increases in sea surface temperatures, changes in precipitation and freshwater delivery to coastal waters, and sea level rise will continue to affect Vibrio growth and are expected to increase human exposure risk.
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) that contaminate seafood with toxins are becoming increasingly frequent and persistent in coastal marine waters.
Ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) is caused by toxins produced by the benthic algae Gambierdiscus and is the most frequently reported fish poisoning in humans.
There is a well-established link between warm sea surface temperatures and increased occurrences of CFP.
Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) is the most globally widespread shellfish poisoning associated with algal toxins.
Warm phases of the naturally occurring climate pattern known as the Pacific Decadal Oscillation co-occur with increased PSP toxins in Puget Sound shellfish on decadal timescales.
It is very likely that the 20th century warming trend also contributed to the observed increase in shellfish toxicity since the 1950s.
The projected impacts of climate change on toxic marine harmful algae include geographic range changes in both warm- and cold-water species, changes in abundance and toxicity, and changes in the timing of the seasonal window of growth.
Climate change, especially continued warming, will dramatically increase the burden of some marine HAB-related diseases in some parts of the United States, with strong implications for disease surveillance and public health preparedness.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the relationship between climate change and water-related illnesses with this informative quiz. Learn about the risks associated with untreated private wells, extreme precipitation events, and contaminated drinking water sources. Explore how climate-related hydrologic changes and changes in consumption and withdrawal are affecting freshwater management and supply. Discover how climate change is contributing to contamination of recreational waters and increased exposure to agents of water-related illness. Finally, learn about the impacts of climate change on marine foodborne illnesses, including harmful algal blooms and