High
level of pollution of ground waters in the State of Punjab in the north of
India led to a genetic mutation of people. This fact was revealed during the
research carried out recently, reports "BBC" (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/7119780.stm). The scientists, who were collecting a scientific material
within two years, ascertain that poisonous pesticides and heavy metals got to a
food chain. Due to this in Punjab the percentage of children with congenital
ugliness sharply increased, the cancer cases considerably increased, many inhabitants
had problems with kidneys. Report made by specialists of Chandigarh Institute
of medical education, indicates communication between pollution of water and
DNA mutation of people.
During research scientists analyzed composition of
ground waters, liquid industrial wastes and tap water. It appeared that 80 % of
samples of ground waters contain mercury in the quantity much more exceeding
norm. 70 % of samples of industrial drains showed presence of arsenic. This
chemical element dangerous to the human being was found also in ground waters
and even in tap water — his presence is revealed in 57,7 % and 50 % is
exemplary respectively. In drainage watercourse of some cities (Ludhiana,
Amritsar) a large amount of pesticides has been revealed. During research of
samples of the blood taken from people living in these areas, the mutation of
DNA was noted in 65 % of cases. Authors of the report specify that
responsibility for environmental pollution lies not only at the industrial
enterprises. Partly, this is farmers fault, who use pesticides in excessive
quantities. Now experts develop recommendations how to protect the population
from dangerous chemicals. For now scientists advise to carry out permanent
monitoring to keep eye on water quality and a condition of sewer system. Today
pollution of water gets really catastrophic scales. It is getting more and more
difficult to receive water of acceptable purity for drink. Let's consider some
of the most dangerous types of pollution.
Chemical pollution of water proceeds
both from the industrial enterprises, and from the household waste billion tons
of which are scattered on all surface not only a land, but also oceans. Organic
synthetic materials, for example, various plastic, paints, the polymeric fibers
which washed away from fields or pesticides which have been thrown out behind
worthlessness, that some large agrarian holdings so like to abuse, which are
using for impregnation of wooden designs and many other substances which aren't
capable to biological degradation, but can join in a metabolism process of live
cells, acting there as catalysts of pathological exchange processes. Some
chemical substances causing pollution of water, can be processed by live
organisms, but often in such compounds which are much more toxic for biological
organisms, than initial. One of them are authentic carcinogens (the substances
causing formation of cancer tumors), others possess strongly pronounced
teratogenic and mutagen properties (that is cause congenital anomalies of
development or a mutation of biological organisms).
Such influence is inherent
in halogenated hydrocarbons, polychromatic compounds and phenols. Water
pollution by nitrites and nitrates, most dangerously for children, who are in
age category up to twelve years. In their stomachs acid isn't developed enough
to suppress those bacteria which process nitrates in more toxic nitrites. But
this problem concerns not only children, such nitro compounds are formed in
certain conditions even in stomachs of adult people and cause the general
poisoning. At such poisonings of newborn children, methemoglobinemia disease,
calling also "blue baby syndrome" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_baby_syndrome) is developing, at this disease
erythrocytes lose ability to oxygen transfer, the outcome of this pathology can
be lethal. The reasons of progressing of cancer diseases can become benzole and
trychlorethylene and even asbestos. If lead gets into organism it can lead to
serious neurological pathologies, especially children suffer from it. Also
water is get polluted by chlorine and its compounds, which is generally applies
for water cleaning, but destroying microorganisms, at the same time, sate the
water with dangerous chlororganical compounds.
Due to chlorine, water also gains unpleasant taste and loses
transparency. And in that case when such compounds get into an organism of the
pregnant woman, they can cause the heaviest congenital defects of a fetus,
such, as heart and brain anomalies. From manganese and iron water gets blackish
or brownish shades, the taste become worse.
Long-term using of such water
contributes to development of blood and liver diseases, also emergence of heart
attacks. It is time for people to think of their behavior, to stop jeer at our
planet, for it can strongly reduce such polluting factor, as the mankind, with
one insignificant movement in planetary scale, for example, eruption of a large
volcano or emergence of a new virus. People need to fall in love with the
nature, and she will render a hundred times.
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