Three Water Borne Diseases and Ways to Prevent Them
Cholera
Cholera is a waterborne disease that is commonly found in marginalized villages or humanitarian emergencies where poor sanitation and poverty are rampant (Baldursson & Karanis, 2011). Cholera is spread via contaminated water, and it causes severe diarrhoea and dehydration. The disease can be fatal a few hours or days the bacteria exposure. One in ten people with cholera develops life-threatening symptoms. The symptoms of the disease include diarrhoea, nausea, vomiting and muscle cramps. To prevent the disease, a person should thoroughly wash hands with soap and water, and eat hot and wholly cooked foods. Also, people should only eat fruits that can be peeled and drink safe water.
Giardia
Giardia is a waterborne disease that is spread through contaminated water from streams and ponds. It can also be spread through water supplies and swimming polls among other sources of water. A parasite causes the disease, but it clears after several weeks. Giardia patients can nevertheless develop intestinal problems in future. The symptoms of the condition include; nausea, diarrhoea, weight loss, abdominal pain, bloating, and cramps. To prevent the disease, one should wash hands with soap and water, drink safe water, and avoid swallowing unsafe water while swimming.
Dysentery
Dysentery is an intestinal condition that is characterized by diarrhoea, and mucus or blood in the stool. The waterborne disease is mainly spread through poor hygiene. It is also caused by parasites, bacteria and viruses in unsafe water and food (Baldursson & Karanis, 2011). People who come in contact with faeces are also at a higher risk of contracting the disease. The symptoms of dysentery include fever, nausea, diarrhoea, dehydration, and stomach pain and cramps. To prevent the disease people should wash their hands thoroughly with water and soap, avoid street foods, eat fruits that can be peeled, and only drink safe water, and observe proper hygiene measures at all times.
Example of Toxic Chemical that can be found in Public Water Supply and Health Effects of Toxic Chemicals in Water
High amounts of copper in water can be experienced through the effects of farming, mining, manufacturing, and industrial or municipal wastewater released into lakes and rivers (O’Neil, 2017). Copper can either get into water supply directly or through copper pipes corrosion. Corrosion of water pipes is a significant concern because it facilitates high levels of contamination in the water. As water pipes age, they release some amount of copper into the water that is later consumed by people (O’Neil, 2017). This generates harmful chemicals that threaten people’s lives. One sign of pipes that could be realizing copper in water is changing colour to blue-green. While small amounts of copper are not harmful to a person’s health, high levels of copper exposure can lead to higher health issues that may include liver, kidney, and liver damage. Too much exposure to toxic chemicals in water can lead to different forms of complications. Among the effects of such compounds are liver and stomach illnesses, skin problems, neurological problems and respiratory complications.
Health Hazards Associated With Uncontrolled And Older Waste Sites In the United States and the Processes Through Which Hazardous Solid Wastes Can Affect Human Beings.
Several health hazards can be caused by uncontrolled and older waste sites in the US to community members. Hazardous substances can cause eyes or skin irritation, cause respiratory problems, cause nausea and headaches, or result in other major health issues such as kidney problems, cancer, and liver problems (O’Neil, 2017). Other health issues that can be caused by uncontrolled waste include genetic mutations, physiological malfunctions, behavioural abnormalities, congenital disabilities, and physical deformations. On the environment, limitless and older garbage can cause devastating effects such as killing organisms in the river or lake, destroying plants and animals in affected areas, productivity complications in animals and destruction of the ecosystem (O’Neil, 2017). Some hazardous substances have the potential of causing fire or exploding, hence creating a significant threat to both human and animal populations.
Other hazardous substances from the uncontrolled waste have toxic effects on people and the environment after episodic release. Such poisonous effects are called chronic toxicity since they affect people and animals after prolonged exposure. Toxic substances that affect people immediately after exposure are called acute toxicity (O’Neil, 2017). People living around areas with uncontrolled waste are at a higher risk of coming into contact with infectious and toxic materials. Waste workers and children are at more risk of getting infected with toxic waste. Population living close to older waste can also get contamination through water supply either through leakage from landfills or waste dumping in rivers and lakes (O’Neil, 2017). Uncollected waste also increases the chances of injuries among people living within the area. Generally, solid and organic waste from homes causes a severe threat to people as they go through the process of fermentation, which in turn causes a pleasant place for the growth and survival of microbial pathogens.
Comparison of Current Methods for Treating Sewage from those that were used in the Middle Ages
During the middle ages, there were no adequate infrastructures of disposing sewage (Andersson, Rosemarin, Kvarnström & Trimmer, 2016). Nevertheless, a simple procedure was used to treat water that was contaminated with sewage for secure domestic use. To begin with, water was flowed through several sedimentation basins, before flowing to a distribution house that crossed the main monastery ditch. Pipes used for this purpose were made out of lead, tree trunks or ceramic material. The water was then directed to different consumers after living in the distribution house, but unfortunately, it continued to get small amounts of pollution or sewage. Water was reserved in ponds without enough measures of treatment, and it was used to drive mills (Zhang & Babovic, 2012. Due to the high demands of water supply, the monastery was carefully selected and constructed at the expense of the users. Water with the least amount of sewage was used for domestic use while the one with much pollution was discarded in open grounds, hence increasing chances of waterborne diseases.
Today, sewage is treated through a three-stage process that includes primary, secondary and tertiary treatment process (Andersson, Rosemarin, Kvarnström & Trimmer, 2016). In the primary stage, sewage is temporarily held in the quiescent basin where lighter solids and grease float while heavy substances sink. The floating and settled materials are removed as the remaining liquid are discharged to secondary treatment. In the secondary treatment process, a biological matter that is dissolved and suspended in water is removed (Andersson, Rosemarin, Kvarnström & Trimmer, 2016). Indigenous micro-organisms perform this stage in a controlled habitat. Secondary treatment may also involve a separation process to eliminate micro-organisms before the water undergoes the tertiary treatment. Lastly, tertiary treatment involves physical or chemical treatment of water. After this stage, the treated water is safe for use, either domestically, for agricultural purposes or groundwater recharge.
Factors that Spurred the Development of Today’s Sanitary Sewage System
Due to the eruption of many waterborne diseases across Europe, it became vital to develop good sanitary sewage system. The bubonic plague, which spread in almost all parts of London in 1340s, caused stricter laws to be formulated to eliminate waste dumping in water bodies (Andersson, Rosemarin, Kvarnström & Trimmer, 2016). More measures were also set to educate the public on ways of remaining safe from consuming unsafe water.
The Stages of Processing Sewage
Screening and Pumping
This is the first stage where incoming sewage passes through screening equipment where rags, plastics, wood fragments and grease are eliminated (Zhang & Babovic, 2012. The removed wastes are disposed of in landfills, while the screened sewage water is pumped to the next processing step.
Grit Removal
This is the second step of processing sewage. It involves the removal of excellent but solid materials such as gravel and sand from the water. The removed waste is also disposed of in landfills.
Primary Settling
In this step, material settling in the wastewater is removed through the use of clarifies. At this stage, waste is swifter and takes longer to settle. Floating debris such as oil is eliminated and together with the settled debris, they are sent to the digester. Also, chemicals are added in the water to eradicate phosphorous at this stage.
Aeration
In this stage, the wastewater is treated more thorough application of biological degradation. In this stage, pollutants are destroyed by microorganisms before being transformed in cell tissue, nitrogen and water.
Secondary settling
At this stage, the treated wastewater is separated from the aeration tank, yielding water that is 90% safe. The activated sludge continues to be pumped from clarifiers and is returned to the aeration tank.
Filtration
In this stage, the clarifies tanks effluent gets polished through micron polyester media. The material captured on disc filters surface is backwashed before being returned to the plant for further treatment.
Disinfection
This is a stage where wastewater is adequately treated to eliminate the presence of any free bacteria. In this step, ultraviolet disinfection is used for purification. This treatment eliminates the remaining bacteria to a level that the water becomes safe for use.
Oxygen Uptake
The treated water, which is also at a high-quality state, is aerated to uplift the dissolved oxygen level to a permutable level. After the water has adequately been treated, it is released to join the Oconomowoc River. At this final stage, the water is safe since pollutant has been eliminated to a level of 98% or more.
The stage that is permissible in the US to dispose of wastewater from the sewage into waterways is the oxygen uptake. This is because, at this stage, the water is free of any form of infections having gone through both physical and chemical treatment.
Health-related Consideration of Recycled Water
It is vital to recycle water to a level that it will be acceptable for use in any specific situation. The health risks associated with recycling water for treatment can be prevented through minimizing wastewater being treated. Some of the dangers are costly, and the reuse procedure sometimes is not economically viable. Recycled water is not fit for the intended use, especially when the recycling process is not fully accomplished (Dziuban, Calderon, Roy & Beach, 2016). The most significant concern for recycling water is the microbial pathogens present in sewage effluent. These pathogens include protozoa, viruses, helminths and bacteria. While not all infections make a person sick, too much exposure to pathogens can lead to infections. If the recycled water is not well treated, then the pathogen levels will be highly concentrated, hence causing infections to people that ingest the water. Safe water of recycled water should be fully disinfected to a level of 98% purification.
While recycled water may not be safe for drinking, it can be used for other uses. For example, it can be used for fire suppression, landscape irrigation, industrial processes, and dust control and wetlands restoration (Zhang & Babovic, 2012). The water can also be used to flush toilets, groundwater recharge and in recreational water bodies. Recycled water to tertiary level is safe to come to full body contact, and therefore it can be used for purposes of recreation. While the water is not used for drinking, it is very close to the safety level for consumption.
Types of Hazards and Associated Illnesses Predominate In Professional Occupations
Professional workers are exposed to physical, ergonomic, biological and chemical hazards. Physical hazards are the most common hazards in workplaces, and they may include trips, slips, falls, noise, unguarded machines and vibrations, among others. Ergonomic hazards are a physical strain on workers’ bodies that can lead to the harming of their musculoskeletal system (Dziuban, Calderon, Roy & Beach, 2016). This form of hazard includes repetitive motion, poor posture, poor lighting and awkward movements. Workers can also be exposed to chemical hazards if they are not provided with the necessary protective gears. In such scenarios, they can inhale or come into contact with cleaning solutions, vapours and fumes, and carbon monoxide among other gases. Biological hazards are the most dangerous hazards because infectious materials cause them; Examples of natural hazards include insect bites, viruses, bacteria, bodily fluids and animal care.
To mitigate workplace hazards, companies should communicate their safety and health policy to workers. They should also employ workers that are familiar with the job requirements and machinery. Secondly, they should handle any hazards or accidents quickly, and ensure that they find a lasting solution to the problems (Dziuban, Calderon, Roy & Beach, 2016). They should also make the safety and good health part of their culture through implementing strategies that will promote good health. Lastly, they should ensure that all workers are equipped with the necessary protective gears when working.
References
Andersson, K., Rosemarin, A., Kvarnström, E. & Trimmer, C. (2016). Sanitation, Wastewater Management and Sustainability: from Waste Disposal to Resource Recovery. Nairobi and Stockholm: United Nations
Baldursson S, & Karanis, P. (2011). “Waterborne transmission: a review of worldwide outbreaks – an update 2004-2010”. Water Research. 45 (20): 6603–14. doi:10.1016/j.watres.2011.10.013 PMID 22048017
Dziuban E., Calderon, R., Roy, S. & Beach M. (2016). “Surveillance for waterborne disease and outbreaks associated with recreational water–United States, MMWR. Surveillance Summaries. 55 (12): 1–30. PMID17183230
O’Neil, M. (2017). The Merck index: an encyclopedia of chemicals, drugs, and biologicals; Merck: Whitehouse Station, NJ
Zhang, V. & Babovic, M. (2012). “A real options approach to the design and architecture of water supply systems using innovative water technologies under uncertainty” Journal of Hydroinformatics. 14: 13–29. doi:10.2166/hydro.2011.078