Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Hannah Stanich
Mrs. Palcko
English 112
10 May 2017
Water Pollution
Water. A colorless, transparent, odorless, tasteless liquid that all living things need in
order to survive. Why is it that most bodies of water today do not fit this definition? Simply, it is
redefined as under water pollution. Water pollution is the addition of harmful chemicals into
water directly or indirectly. Water pollution is a worldwide issue that affects millions of people
around the globe. The disastrous effects on people and animals makes the world ask the question,
Water pollution affects millions of people around the globe. Many do not have access to
clean drinking water. When people hear this, one might think of a poor or undeveloped country,
but that is not the only case. Water pollution is evidenced here in the United States as well. For
example, a major case in the US was found recently just in 2016. According to a Harvard study,
they found, unsafe levels of polyfluoroalkyl- industrial chemicals linked with cancer, hormone
disruption and other health problems- in the drinking water of 33 states, affecting 6 million
Americans (McLendon). Millions of people in the US are drinking dangerous tap water without
even knowing it. Aside from the US, third world countries have a much more serious problem in
having access to clean drinking water. A Third World Center for Water Management, estimates
at least three billion people worldwide still drink water of dubious quality (Asit K). Many of
these people come from the worlds third world countries. In Afghanistan, only 13% of the
Stanich 2
country has clean drinking water readily available (World Water). They have a huge population
and no water to support it. In Ethiopia, the state has a population estimate of 82 million. Only
11% have access to clean sanitation water (World Water). There are many more countries like
these two with devastating numbers that are suffering today. The lack of clean drinking water
Water pollution has disastrous effects on people and animals. Water provides life and
health, but when it is contaminated, serious health problems can occur. The effects can either be
present right away or more likely, long term. Long term effects in people can be very dangerous
because they can include, cancer, liver and kidney damage, disorders of the nervous system,
damage to the immune system, and birth defects (Health Effects). These effects can lead to
serious health cases including death. Also, according to the Health Effects article, immediate
health effects can include nausea, lung irritation, skin rash, vomiting, and in some cases death.
By just drinking water, there is a possibility that you can die. A major disease, known as
diarrhoea, leaves around 842,000 people dead each year from contaminated water. People are
also affected when the seafood they eat is contaminated. Animals are much bigger victims of
water pollution because they can not escape it. For example, chemical pollution kills off smaller
aquatic life, which as a result, leaves the bigger fish with nothing to eat. It is a chain reaction that
leaves many species dead. Also, the dumping of solid trash causes small animals to get trapped
inside. There are many many ways that water pollution affects our animals and as well as us.
Who is responsible for the contaminated bodies of water? Simply, everyone has
contributed in some way to this problem. From an individual littering, to a huge factory dumping
Stanich 3
oil into the ocean, to farmers spraying their crops with pesticides, it all ends up in our waterways.
Woodford says, virtually any human activity can have an effect on the quality of our water
environment. This is why education on this topic is so important. Everyone needs to be fully
aware of what their actions can be and are leading to. About eighty percent of water pollution
comes from land activities. Woodford also says, water pollution has many different causes and
this is one of the reasons why it is such a difficult problem to solve. There might not be a
perfect solution to completely ending water pollution, but there can definitely be limits and laws
made to help ensure the world does not exceed and destroy our water for good. supply
permanently.
Overall, water is a necessity for every living organism. Two-thirds of the world is made
up of water, and a lot of it is labeled as water pollution. This contaminated water effects ocean
life and everyone around the globe. At least three billion people drink this questionable water as
many do not have any access to clean drinking water. Much of the responsibility for this problem
is on us. Many have contributed in some way big or small. Water pollution enters our waterways
directly or indirectly from one person to big factories. Water pollution is a result because of each
and everyone one of the people on this planet. So, what have you done today to contribute to this
growing problem?
Stanich 4
Works Cited
Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore and co-founder of
the Third World Center for Water Management. He was a founder of the International
Water Resources Association and World Water Council. The Third Worlds Drinking
www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/asit-k--biswas-and-peter-brabeck-letmathe-reco
mmend-a-new-approach-to-addressing-developing-countries--water-and-sanitation-challe
CompareHomeWaterFilters.Com,
McLendon, Russell. How polluted is U.S. drinking water? MNN - Mother Nature Network,
www.mnn.com/earth-matters/translating-uncle-sam/stories/how-polluted-is-us-drinking-
Shukla, Ishani Chatterjee. These Tragic Effects of Water Pollution on Animals are Saddening.
2017.
Woodford, Chris. Water pollution: An introduction to causes, effects, solutions. Explain that
2017.
www.ecorazzi.com/2012/03/22/world-water-day-10-places-most-in-need-of-clean-water/.