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Questions and Answers
What type of substances are classified as contaminants in water?
What type of substances are classified as contaminants in water?
Which of the following is classified as a direct source of water contamination?
Which of the following is classified as a direct source of water contamination?
Why is water considered contaminated?
Why is water considered contaminated?
Which of the following is an example of an indirect source of water contamination?
Which of the following is an example of an indirect source of water contamination?
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What hazard can result from floods regarding water quality?
What hazard can result from floods regarding water quality?
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Which disease is NOT related to water contamination?
Which disease is NOT related to water contamination?
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Which of the following contaminants may result from human agricultural activities?
Which of the following contaminants may result from human agricultural activities?
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What could be a potential outcome of contaminated water on human health?
What could be a potential outcome of contaminated water on human health?
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What causes water borne diseases?
What causes water borne diseases?
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Which of the following is an example of a water washed disease?
Which of the following is an example of a water washed disease?
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How is malaria primarily transmitted?
How is malaria primarily transmitted?
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What health issue is associated with lead poisoning?
What health issue is associated with lead poisoning?
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Which of the following methods can help prevent water related diseases?
Which of the following methods can help prevent water related diseases?
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What is the main health risk associated with arsenic poisoning?
What is the main health risk associated with arsenic poisoning?
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What condition can result from consuming excess nitrates?
What condition can result from consuming excess nitrates?
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Which method is considered effective in controlling vector population?
Which method is considered effective in controlling vector population?
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Flashcards
Contaminant
Contaminant
A harmful biological, chemical, physical or radical substance in water.
Direct sources of water contaminants
Direct sources of water contaminants
Pollutants released directly into water bodies from activities like factories or mining.
Indirect sources of water contaminants
Indirect sources of water contaminants
Pollutants entering water from soil, underground systems, or atmosphere.
Examples of contaminants
Examples of contaminants
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Waterborne diseases
Waterborne diseases
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Effects of floods on water quality
Effects of floods on water quality
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Runoff from agriculture
Runoff from agriculture
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Hazards associated with contaminated water
Hazards associated with contaminated water
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Cholera Cause
Cholera Cause
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Water Washed Diseases
Water Washed Diseases
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Shigellosis Cause
Shigellosis Cause
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Water Related Insect Vectors
Water Related Insect Vectors
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Malaria Causative Agent
Malaria Causative Agent
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Lead Poisoning Effects
Lead Poisoning Effects
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Arsenic Poisoning Risks
Arsenic Poisoning Risks
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Study Notes
Water Sanitation: Sources of Water Contamination
- Objectives:
- Define contaminants
- Classify sources of water contaminants
- Classify water-related diseases
- Outline hazards associated with contaminated water
What is a Contaminant?
- A contaminant is a biological, chemical, physical, or radical substance that becomes harmful to humans when introduced to water, whether intentionally or accidentally.
- Examples include: nitrogen, bleach, pesticides, bacteria, human drugs, and parasites.
- Water is considered contaminated if it contains levels of pollutants that make it unsuitable for human use.
Classification of Sources of Water Contaminants
- Direct sources: Pollutants released directly into the water source.
- Examples include mining activities, factories/refineries, and waste treatment plants.
- Indirect sources: Pollutants enter the water source from soil, underground water systems, or the atmosphere via rainwater.
- Examples include human agricultural activities (pesticides and fertilizers), floods, human and animal fecal matter.
Direct Sources: Mining Activities
- Chemicals used in ore processing, if not properly disposed of, can contaminate water sources.
- Examples include cyanide and sulfuric acid.
Direct Sources: Factory and Refinery Activities
- Factories and refineries are major sources of water contamination.
- Often, waste products are directly discharged into water sources like dams and rivers.
Indirect Sources: Human Agricultural Activities
- Runoff from fertilizers, pesticides, insecticides, and herbicides can contaminate water bodies like lakes and rivers.
- Fertilizers can contain excess nitrates and phosphates, posing a health risk.
Indirect Sources: Floods
- Floods can contaminate water sources by disrupting water services and introducing physical, biological, and chemical contaminants.
- Floods can also damage distribution systems.
Diseases Associated with Contaminated Water
- Water-related diseases can result from both direct and indirect water contamination.
- These include waterborne diseases, pathogens, and toxic substances.
Classification of Water-Related Diseases
- Waterborne diseases: Caused by pathogenic microorganisms in water, often originating from human or animal waste.
- Examples include cholera (causative agent: Vibrio cholera).
- Transmission: consumption of contaminated food/water.
- Water Washed Diseases: Infections caused by poor hygiene, often related to inadequate access to water.
- Examples: shigellosis (causative agent: Shigella).
- Transmission: contact with contaminated feces.
- Water Based Diseases: Diseases transmitted through water vectors that breed or feed near water.
- Examples: Malaria (causative agent: Plasmodium).
- Transmission: bites from infected mosquitos
- Other hazards may include risks associated with contaminants like lead or arsenic.
Hazards Associated with Contaminated Water: Lead Poisoning
- Lead poisoning occurs when drinking water contaminated with lead from deteriorating pipes.
- Lead poisoning can cause: Impaired development of the brain and nervous system (particularly in children), permanent adverse side effects and in adults increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage.
Hazards Associated with Contaminated Water: Arsenic Poisoning
- Arsenic is a toxic element commonly used in pesticides.
- Arsenic poisoning (arsenicosis) occurs due to elevated arsenic levels in the body.
- Results in health problems like skin cancer, bladder cancer, and high blood pressure.
Hazards Associated with Contaminated Water: Nitrates
- Fertilizers contain excess nitrates which can be hazardous to humans when consumed.
- Nitrates can cause health issues, including blue baby syndrome.
Prevention Strategies
- Increase water accessibility and reliability
- Improve hygiene practices
- Control vector populations (destroy breeding sites, use bed nets)
- Replace leaded pipes with unleaded ones
- Educate the public about water contamination (especially lead and arsenic contamination)
- Use water sources that are less likely to be contaminated (e.g., rainwater).
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Description
This quiz explores the concept of water contamination and categorizes various sources of water pollutants. It will also discuss the health hazards associated with contaminated water and the classification of water-related diseases. Test your knowledge on contaminants and their origins in this informative quiz.
