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About this free course 9 hours study. Level 1: Introductory. Course rewards. Free statement of participation on completion of these courses. Create your free OpenLearn profile. Course content Course content. Water and human health Start this free course now. Free course Water and human health. Figure 7 The tadpole of Xenopus laevis. SAQ 11 Why do you suppose this is? Answer For a start, there is the question of whether Xenopus is more or less sensitive to the compound than humans.
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Our partners OpenLearn works with other organisations by providing free courses and resources that support our mission of opening up educational opportunities to more people in more places. Find out more Support us. Drinking contaminated groundwater can have serious health effects.
Diseases such as hepatitis and dysentery may be caused by contamination from septic tank waste. Poisoning may be caused by toxins that have leached into well water supplies. Wildlife can also be harmed by contaminated groundwater. Other long term effects such as certain types of cancer may also result from exposure to polluted water. May contain gasoline, oil, chemicals, or other types of liquids and they can either be above or below ground. There are estimated to be over 10 million storage tanks buried in the United States and over time the tanks can corrode, crack and develop leaks.
If the contaminants leak out and get into the groundwater, serious contamination can occur. Onsite wastewater disposal systems used by homes, offices or other buildings that are not connected to a city sewer system. Septic systems are designed to slowly drain away human waste underground at a slow, harmless rate. An improperly designed, located, constructed, or maintained septic system can leak bacteria, viruses, household chemicals, and other contaminants into the groundwater causing serious problems.
In the U. If you drink water contaminated with pesticides, then you are certainly at risk. However, pesticides can affect people in different ways depending on their age and how adaptive the body is to fighting off chemicals. Most groups identify three types of people who at more of a risk than others when exposed to pesticides: children, pregnant women and aging populations.
Children, for example, are always growing and developing. Too much exposure to a pesticide could stunt their physical as well as mental growth. This is a normal price that comes with having children, but it can be a problem with pesticides. If she is exposed to a pesticide, the baby will be as well. As we age, our immune systems slow down, and they have a tougher time fighting off pathogens and other chemicals.
For aging populations, even smaller exposures to harmful pesticides can be dangerous. Their bodies may not be able to fight off the chemicals, and they could become sick or even die. When considering a pesticide, remember to think about its toxicity and exposure and the balancing act between the two. A low-toxicity pesticide used in a tight space can become toxic very quickly. People living in those communities cannot take a shower in the water or bathe their children.
Not having access to clean water goes far beyond not drinking water from the tap. News outlets all over the world have been reporting on the effects of pesticides in water and the environment.
Here are a few stories you should be following and some in-depth reports on communities affected by unsafe drinking water.
Roundup lawsuits: Thousands of lawsuits have been filed against Bayer, the manufacturer of Roundup weed killer.
Earlier this year, the state of California ruled that the glyphosate-based weedkiller was responsible for causing cancer. For more, check out these stories:. Stories of contaminated drinking water: These features focus on communities where drinking the water is unsafe. But as with everything in life, pesticides complicate things when other factors, such as the risk of mosquito-spread diseases, are at play.
These stories from around the country show how all these factors can create problems for communities. The best thing we can all do for the safety and health of our plant and ourselves is find ways to limit our use of pesticides.
Integrated pest management refers to a system of simple, easy-to-do activities around your home that will decrease the amount of pests in your home without spraying chemicals all over your house and lawn. It combines some common-sense tactics with a little science to fight pests within your home.
Our approach to pest management involves using botanical-based products, so you can be certain that when our experts show up at your door, your kids and pets will be safe from harmful chemicals.
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