Water pollution and Health

Contamination of water reserves by either chemical agents or infectious pathogens may affect the health of millions of residents of many countries. Water consumers are frequently unaware of the potential health risks associated with exposure to waterborne contaminants and often consult practicing physicians who are unfamiliar with water pollution issues and their subsequent impact on human health. Misdiagnosis and underdiagnosis of waterborne disease by the medical community may result in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in vulnerable populations at increased risk of disease as a result of exposure to waterborne pathogens and chemical contaminants.

In addition, the events of September 11th emphasize the need for practicing healthcare providers to recognize unusual disease trends and early warning signs that may result from potential biological or chemical terrorism. Although the risk is extremely low, these covert attacks may include an assault on water safety. Primary care practitioners throughout the United States must be especially vigilant in light of the fact that they are likely to be the first to observe unusual illness patterns and must therefore understand their critical role in protecting water resources and their community's health. This Physician On-Line Reference Guide provides a repository of educational information and preparedness resources for practicing physicians who must understand not only how to detect biological and chemical weapons exposure but also how to respond to this threat appropriately.

Any future strategic plan to maintain and protect water quality and safety in every country must include physicians as stakeholders and active participants in this ongoing public health challenge. Unfortunately, the majority of practicing physicians have received no formalized training in the recognition and evaluation of waterborne disease or in the management of the short- and long-term health effects of water pollution or contamination during their medical education or subsequently during their years in active clinical practice. The purpose of this Physician On-Line Reference Guide is to attempt to address this critical information gap and to provide busy practicing clinicians with informational resources and educational tools to assist them in the recognition of waterborne disease and the health effects of water pollution.