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2202809

The Price of Walking in Muddy Shoes

Rising before the Kenyan dawn, Sabina immediately removes herself from bed and turns

to tend to her child. Her newborn cries for her, yearning for the attention and care that Sabina has

given to her older children. But her encompassing arms will not hold her baby for much

longer—it is time to retrieve their first water collection of the day. Slipping into worn-down

sandals, feet caked in dirt, Sabina begins the four mile trek to the nearest source of water: a

muddy, contaminated river. She endures blockades of thorns, uneven and unpaved trails, and the

constant threat of running into the unknown. Upon arriving at the river, she bends down and fills

her jug with the opaque water, swimming with toxins and muck. This is the drinking water for

Sabina and her children, and will continue to be their source of water every single day for the

entirety of their lives. Dear reader, you have just walked ​one morning ​of​ one day ​in Sabina’s

shoes.

This is the price that Sabina has to pay every day in order to provide for her family—the

loss of time and opportunities. And yet, she willingly exchanges them both for contaminated

water and muddy shoes. Why? Because water is a necessity. Sabina has no choice but to walk

and retrieve the sickening water, because it is for survival. While our lives vastly differ from

Sabina’s, we too have to make an individual journey, every day, for survival. Yet we do not have

to think twice about the water we consume, always filtered to a crystal-clean state. Due to our

nonexistent lack of clean water, there is no need to think about the negative effects of

contamination. Why worry if we are able to simply press a button and relish from drinking a

chilled glass of water?

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I first encountered Sabina’s story in 6th grade, and at 12 years old, I was immediately

hooked on the topic of contaminated water. It is a topic that can be traced back to any country,

whether it be ocean water polluted with oil, or a watering hole that is shared with the neighboring

animals. No matter the source, it is without a doubt that consuming contaminated water will lead

to harmful, and sometimes lethal, outcomes for the human body. Yet to what extent can the body

consume contaminated water and have no physical differentiation between one who is healthy,

and one who is not? Learning about the signs of water contamination are crucial to

understanding how to best counter the ongoing crisis.

While physical appearance provides the most tangible evidence for water contamination

effects, the symptoms may go beyond the outer layer of skin. In Sabina’s case, having to walk

that long in poor conditions only to retrieve mucky water must have negatively impacted her

mental health. The intangible symptoms of water contamination are of equal importance to those

on the outside, and must be properly recognized so a solution can be found for both. With

concern to both the mind and body, I have been led to my question: ​How does water

contamination impact the physical and mental health of the human body?

To maintain a deeper understanding of the effects of water contamination, it is significant

to first be able to comprehend exactly what polluted water is, and how it happens. According to

the National Resources Defense Council, “Water pollution occurs when harmful

substances–often chemicals or microorganisms–contaminate a stream, river, lake, ocean, aquifer,

or other body of water, degrading water quality and rendering it toxic to humans or the

environment” (Denchak). These harmful chemicals and substances are the results of poor water

treatment that come from one of the two categories of pollution: point-source and

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nonpoint-source. Point-source, as stated within the name, refers to the pollution where the

contaminants enter into the environment through an “easily identified and confined space”

(National Geographic Society). Whether it be through a pipe or a sewage treatment plant, the

contaminants enter the water through these unsafe and harmful passageways. Contrary to

point-source pollution, nonpoint-source includes any disposal of contaminants through a

widespread area. A commonly referred to example for nonpoint is agricultural runoff, which

poses a significant health issue due to the runoff containing harmful pesticides and insecticides

(National Geographic Society). Pertaining to either source of pollution, water contamination can

occur in multitudinous ways. In a personal interview with education coordinator Justin Fivella

from the Contra Costa County Water District, he revealed numerous sources of contamination

that the average day citizen may not think to call hazardous. The prime example of them was

medication, as in the medication that one takes for an illness or other medical reasons. Mr.

Fivella stated that “people will take their medication, go to the bathroom where it will end up in

the toilet, it goes out [to the treatment plant], and ultimately contaminates the drinking water.

Removing it is a pain, and if the amount of medicine found rises, we will be looking at a huge

problem [within] the next decade.” All forms of water contamination are closely monitored

within the United States since there is access to filtration. However, this does not apply to

third-world countries where the state that the water is collected in is the state that the water will

be utilized.

In a second personal interview, interviewee Sarah Clayton, a recorder of the water quality

for the Henry C. Garnett Water Purification Plant, proclaimed that in Bakersfield alone, the

purification plant has the capacity to “clean up to 100 million gallons of water a day.” This

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demonstrates the rapid demand of water within the United States, and the accessibility that is

granted to the people because of the successful water filtration system. On a daily average, 70

million gallons of water is recycled and provided to the people within city territories. This is just

on the daily, and the number vastly increases as the weather becomes warmer or there is a

surplus of water that is available for leisurely activities. Despite the inalienable right that

everyone should have access to clean water, this privilege does not carry over into third-world

countries, where having filtered water is abnormal for communities. To support this, in her

interview, Mrs. Clayton revealed that “[third-world countries] do not have a filtering system like

we do, and [they] have to retrieve their water from nearby rivers, wells, watering holes, etc.”

Around June 14, 2019, the World Health Organization reported that approximately 735 million

people lack any drinking water service, which is compared to the 5.3 billion who have a

clean-water service at their disposal (“Drinking-Water”). While the numbers compared are

monumentally different, those 735 million people are still entitled to clean drinking water. The

repercussions that they face are debilitating to the body, and in extreme cases, may be lethal.

Being able to recognize the anatomical changes when one consumes contaminated water is

significant information that will potentially lead medical assistants to providing a cure for the

illness at hand, and saving a life.

As for the physical being of the human, there are only so many contaminants a body can

consume before it begins to face lethal consequences; consuming contaminated water has

continuously been proven to negatively impact human health, and potentially lead one to death.

Repeatedly emphasized in their textbook ​Dietary Reference Intakes​, the Institute of Medicine

claims, “Water is the largest single constituent of the human body and is essential for cellular

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homeostasis and life” (Institute of Medicine 73). Kids are taught from a young age that they will

not survive more than a couple days without water, which truly reinforces the importance of the

resource in one’s life. However, ingesting contaminated water will only cause damage to the

body's systems, and transmit diseases such as diarrhea, polio, cholera, dysentery, typhoid, and

many others (The Last Well). The vast majority of these deaths can all be traced back to the

chemicals that are ultimately dumped into the water; the source that contributes the largest

chemical dump is eutrophication (the excess amount of nutrients found in water). Eutrophication

mainly occurs due to agricultural runoff since there are harmful chemicals in fertilizer and

animal waste. Some of the most toxic chemicals are found in these fertilizers, including lead,

zinc, chromium, and others that are too challenging to even pronounce (Hepp). These elements

will then enter the human body and wreak havoc on the health of the individual. Lead

specifically can be harmful to the body, especially for young children. An intake of lead (even

the smallest dosage) can cause damage to the nervous system, negatively influence the proper

functioning of blood cells, impair growth and hearing, and in rare cases, inflict death (“Basic

Information about Lead”). The harm does not stop with lead, it is just one of the many elements

that contributes to injurious diseases.

As mentioned within the previous paragraph, typhoid fever is another disease that occurs

due to a bacterial infection. The symptoms include a high fever, headaches, loss of appetite, and

stomach aches. In the more rare cases, typhoid fever may cause internal bleeding, and death can

occur. For countries with advancements in medicine, there is normally accessibility to antibiotics

that will treat the disease (“The Negative Effects). However, in third world countries, access to

medicine is not as common, so the death rate due to this aggressive disease is higher. Alongside

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typhoid fever, diarrhea is the most common illness that affects about 1.7 billion victims annually,

and kills more than 500,000. This illness is caused by parasites, most commonly the

Cryptosporidium a​ nd the ​Giardia Intestinalis, ​that attack the immune system and cause loose,

water stools, fever, abdominal cramps, loss of nutrients/water, nausea, and bleeding in severe

cases (“Water”). Due to the extreme weight loss and lack of hydration, the number of deaths

from diarrhea only grows every year in places where there is no water filtration.

The number of illnesses that can be obtained through drinking contaminated water is

endless, and all have the potential to bring harm to the body. From simple, small cases of

salmonella to extreme ones like botulism (a rare form of poisoning caused by toxins), there is

without a doubt a harsh impact from polluted water. Scientific research has repeatedly proven the

damage on the human body, and scientists are still researching newer cases. While remedies have

been found for a majority of the sicknesses, access to these are challenging for countries that face

poverty and can not afford medical care. These countries face the harshest outcomes due to the

lack of treatment. Ultimately, polluted water is bound to harm a physical being… but what about

mental health? The first thought about water contamination may be the illnesses, yet there seems

to be problems that take place deeper within that are in dire need of addressing.

While most may seek the outward appearance from water contamination, the effects go

beyond the surface, and can ultimately impair the brain from proper functioning. As discussed

earlier, lead is a harmful chemical that damages the functioning of the human body and also

impacts the brain. In 2017, there were a total of 1.06 million deaths from lead exposure with

63.2% inheriting a idiopathic developmental intellectual disability. The largest impact from lead

is on children, since they are still developing and need to absorb as much nutrients as possible,

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no matter how harmful. If there is a high exposure of lead to children, it will attack the brain and

nervous system, which renders children as more susceptible to convulsions, comas, and death.

Additionally, lead exposure will cause long-term effects on the development of the child’s brain

which may lower their IQ, and inflict behavioral changes (“Lead Poisoning and Health”). Large

amounts of lead exposure are not only harmful to children and neurological development, but

also to the body of any age group. Scientists have discovered that in a long-term effect to lead

exposure, there have been cases where the brain develops Alhzeimer’s disease, all from drinking

water with traces of lead (Bondy). In fact, water traced with any contaminant has been

scientifically proven to have a negative impact on the neurological aspect of the brain.

Dementia, a disease of the brain that causes a decline in memory, language,

problem-solving, and other skills, is diagnosed in approximately 250,000 people each year.

Research has shown that this disease is caused by a number of toxins within the brain, with

contaminated water as one of its largest sources. In cases of agricultural runoff and metals from

unsanitized pipes, metals that enter the drinking water are extremely harmful and will take a toll

on the brain (“Understanding Dementia”). As another toxic chemical to the brain, copper has

been proven to cause adverse neurological effects, alike those of lead. Once the metal enters the

body, excessive amounts of copper lead to neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer’s

Disease and Parkinson’s Disease. There have also been recorded cases of gastrointestinal

symptoms from victims of copper enhanced water (Bondy). Hazardous chemicals like this have

no place in drinking water, which should demonstrate the severity of this issue.

While the research on neurological damage continues to this day, there have been some

advancements from the findings of past cases. Contaminated water causes extreme harm to

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developing brains, thus the severity mainly pertains to younger children. This is an ongoing

medical issue that should meet the same attention as illnesses to the physical body. Yet this

should not be an issue in any regard, for it is not a privilege to have clean water, but rather an

inalienable right. Organizations around the globe are collaborating to produce a change to the

ongoing water-contamination crisis. Everyday, money is donated to projects that provide water

filters, water-well construction, and animal donations to third world countries who may not have

the financial capabilities of affording clean water. This outreach to struggling communities truly

illustrates that everyone is capable of helping others, whether it be a small donation or simply

spreading awareness about a certain cause.

Conclusively, the abundant amount of information provided has led me to the answer for

my question: due to the toxic chemicals that are found within contaminated water, the human

body is exposed to a variety of illnesses while the brain may experience neurological damage.

Constantly proving that harm will occur, scientists continue to research the potential outcomes of

contaminated water so there can be a combat to the pollution that occurs in the first place.

Simply throwing away trash, or properly filtering polluted water will steadily decline the amount

of deaths each year. When asked how we can focus on decreasing the amount of polluted water,

Mr. Fivella answered everyone must “be very careful with what you put down the sink”, and to

“be even more careful about what is going down your storm drains, that’s what leads to the

rivers.” Proper treatment of water would drastically benefit the larger population, and allow for

developed countries to focus more attention on those that lack filtration within their community.

Thanks to the organization World Vision, Sabina was supplied with water filters that

instantly removed the toxic chemicals found within the muddy river water. While the trips to the

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river will persist, clean water is now accessible for Sabina and her family. No more will they

have to ponder over the cleanliness of their water for World Vision brought them a solution. For

survival, we all must pay the price of walking in our own muddy shoes, so instead of asking what

can be done for me, consider what can be done for all. Let us unite and help wash one another’s

feet, no one should have to pay such a large price.

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Works Cited

“Basic Information about Lead in Drinking Water.” ​EPA,​ Environmental Protection Agency, 18

Nov. 2019,

www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-w

ater#health​.

Bondy, Stephen C, and Arezoo Campbell. “Water Quality and Brain Function.” ​International

Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health,​ MDPI, 21 Dec. 2017,

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5800103/.

Clayton, Sarah. Water Recorder for Henry C. Garnett Water Purification Plant. Personal

Interview. 6 March 2020.

Denchak, Melissa. “Water Pollution: Everything You Need to Know.” ​NRDC,​ 13 Mar. 2020,

www.nrdc.org/stories/water-pollution-everything-you-need-know​.

“Drinking-Water.” ​World Health Organization​, World Health Organization, 14 June 2019,

www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/drinking-water.

Fivella, Justin. Education Coordinator for Contra Costa County Water District. Personal

interview. 3 March 2020.

Hepp, Nancy. “Water Quality.” ​Water Quality - The Collaborative on Health and the

Environment​, 2017,

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www.healthandenvironment.org/environmental-health/environmental-risks/global-enviro

nment/water-quality​.

Institute of Medicine. “Read ‘Dietary Reference Intakes for Water, Potassium, Sodium, Chloride,

and Sulfate’ at NAP.edu.” ​National Academies Press: OpenBook,​ 2005,

www.nap.edu/read/10925/chapter/6​.

“Lead Poisoning and Health.” ​World Health Organization​, World Health Organization, 23 Aug.

2019, www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lead-poisoning-and-health.

National Geographic Society. “Point Source and Nonpoint Sources of Pollution.” ​National

Geographic Society,​ 15 July 2019,

www.nationalgeographic.org/encyclopedia/point-source-and-nonpoint-sources-pollution/​.

The Last Well. “The Negative Effects of Water Pollution on Human Health.” ​The Last Well​, 21

Jan. 2020, thelastwell.org/the-negative-effects-of-water-pollution-on-human-health/.

“Understanding Dementia and Water Contamination.” ​Water Health - Understanding Dementia

and Water Contamination | APEC Water,​

www.freedrinkingwater.com/water_health/dementia-health-drinking-water-quality.htm.

“Water.” ​Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,​ Centers for Disease Control and

Prevention, 22 Apr. 2016, www.cdc.gov/parasites/water.html.

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