According to the Lancet Study, contamination has led to more than 2.3 million premature deaths in India. That is approximately 10% of babies born each year. Many individuals get their water from wells due to not having established household drinking water and it has many side effects that are unknown to our society.
A major downside of well water is that radionuclides infect the water through waste and groundwater flow. Making the body impure with radionuclides can toxicate the kidneys and ultimately increase the risk of cancer.
Additionally, the lack of sanitary water facilities creates a rise in diseases such as Cholera, Dysentery, Hepatitis A, Typhoid, Polio, and Pneumonia. It is very difficult to have access to vaccines and cures for diseases in rural areas due to the lack of funding that is supporting medical care in less fortunate communities.
India is a country with rich farming attributes, but some agricultural practices significantly contribute to carbon emissions. CO2 (carbon) can escape along rock fractures and old petroleum wells. Once C02 contaminates water, metals such as arsenic and uranium are released and the water becomes toxic. Along with that, the H2O (water) pH level lowers and the acidity of water increases.
Water pollution is one of the largest challenges faced in many parts of India. As the “Har Ghar Jal” mission attempts to provide tap water in all households throughout the nation it is still very important to understand what can be done to help individuals in rural areas be as healthy as they can.
Ways to know if water is not good to drink:
- Unusual taste (specifically metal, oily, or fishy taste)
- Smell
- Discoloration
Do not drink out of unknown water flows or water near waste.
If one does not have access to pure or filtered water make sure to boil the water so dangerous toxins are denatured as best as possible. If any uneasy feelings or sickness comes about, make sure to visit the closest healthcare facility as soon as possible.
As poor communities are gaining more recognition in recent years, it is still important to make sure such issues are seen to make sure change is happening and all Indians have equal access to healthcare no matter the status.
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