The Clean Water Act, and other similar laws and regulations, are meant to prevent drinking water from being contaminated by dangerous pollutants. However, there are still some manufacturers and other companies who will, intentionally or not, allow their toxic waste to contaminate the water supply, resulting in serious potential harm. Here are seven types of water pollution that could impact you:
- Heavy metals
- One of the most commonly seen types of water pollution comes from heavy metals, which include dangerous substances like lead and mercury. These substances are often introduced to the water by improper waste disposal, potentially causing medical issues like headaches, nausea, diarrhea, muscle weakness, emotional disturbances, as well as developmental delays in children.
- Industrial waste
- Many types of industries use toxic chemicals in their manufacturing processes, which can contaminate drinking water if not properly contained and disposed of. These may include toxins like arsenic, vinyl chloride, and benzene, which can cause both short- and long-term health issues.
- PFAS
- Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS for short, are a class of chemicals commonly used in manufacturing things like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, and chemical fire extinguishers. However, these “forever chemicals” stick around long after their use, potentially contaminating the water supply and causing health issues for anyone exposed to them.
- Agricultural chemicals
- Pesticides, fungicides, herbicides and antibiotics are often used in agriculture and gardening to keep away pests and weeds. However, while these may be healthy for plants to be exposed to, they are not always safe for human consumption, which can become a problem if they enter the water supply.
- Fuel spills
- The process of extracting and refining fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas can be messy at the best of times, but there are strict regulations intended to prevent water pollution from these processes. Despite this, spills from oil tankers or trucks, oil wells, and coal ash pits can contaminate nearby water sources, resulting in potentially serious harm to anyone who consumes it.
- Nutrient pollution
- A somewhat unusual type of pollution, this occurs when water sources become contaminated with chemical fertilizers and other similar substances rich in nitrogen and phosphorus, which encourage the growth of algae, bacteria, and other organisms. Some of these organisms can be dangerous for human health, and cause potentially deadly diseases.
- Volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
- These types of chemicals are often used in paints, thinners, degreasers, chemical solvents, and some petroleum products. VOCs can cause skin and eye irritation, as well as breathing problems if inhaled, and can cause liver or kidney damage and increase the risk of cancer if ingested.
Williams Cedar is a law firm dedicated to helping clients with personal injury, environmental law, and civil rights cases. We have extensive experience representing the interests of people injured in catastrophic accidents, including fires, explosions and leaks of toxic materials. If you believe we can be of service to you or a loved one, please give us a call at our New Jersey and Pennsylvania offices at (215) 557-0099, or visit our contact page.