What are the consequences of drinking contaminated water?
This is very hard predict. Reactions can range anywhere from no measurable response whatsoever, to severe illness and even death. The exact nature of the response depends on the age, weight and overall health of the affected individual, the nature of the contaminant, the amount and frequency of exposure, and the presence of other contaminants (some contaminants cancel each other out; others combine to create even more toxic compounds). Some of the effects of drinking contaminated water may appear immediately; others may not become apparent for weeks or years. Typically, high counts of some harmful strains of bacteria and viruses can cause diarrhoea and diseases such as cholera, hepatitis and gastroenteritis. Some chemicals and heavy metals have been linked to cancer, birth defects or disorders of the nervous system. Radioactive substances can accelerate aging, damage the body’s immune system and cause genetic changes. It should be emphasized that, in most cases, only a tiny fraction of
