By Bisola Adeyemo
The impact of unhealthy environments can start early in a child’s development by increasing the risk of preterm birth.
Poor sanitation pollutes water, and make the environments unsafe for children health as they grow up. It also hinders access to quality education for millions of children and inhibits their ability to learn.
Inadequate access to water or energy often requires children to walk long distances to access a safe water source in time that could have been spent in school.
Approximately 160 million children suffer from stunting and chronic malnutrition as a result of contaminated water and sanitation issues. Uncontrolled pollution is the main reason for water contamination.
Many children die from diarrhea, pneumonia, and malaria, among other illnesses that often can be prevented by providing clean cooking water and safe fuels.
The toxic pollutants present in water are hazardous to children’s health. The reason is children tend to drink more water per pound of their body weight as compared to adults, thereby exposing them to a greater risk of health problems. Children are also susceptible to gastrointestinal and stomach illnesses like nausea, vomiting, cramps, diarrhea and headaches by drinking contaminated water.
The health effects of drinking contaminated water can range from no physical impact to severe illness or even death. As their bodies are still growing, the harmful contaminants in water cause more harm to their developing tissues and organs.
Considering the alarming situation, it is necessary to check the water quality to ensure that children drink safe and pure water.
Staying hydrated not only provides essential minerals to the body but also helps in preventing a number of diseases. Not just the quantity but the quality of water also plays an essential part in keeping kids healthy.
Some of the common contaminants present in water include:
1. Lead
Lead is a toxic metal that is harmful to human health; there is no safe level of lead exposure. The degree of exposure depends on the concentration of lead, route of exposure (air, water, food), current medical condition, and age. Up to 20 % of the total lead exposure in children is attributed to a waterborne route, i.e., consuming contaminated water. Infants, foetuses, and young children are particularly vulnerable to lead poisoning. High levels of lead contamination in children result in convulsions, major neurological damage, organ failure, coma, and ultimately death. Moderate to low levels of exposure result in hearing loss, inhibit growth, and learning disabilities
2.Nitrate
If infants drinking baby formula or water that contains an elevated level of nitrate can lead to “methemoglobinemia” – a disorder characterized by the presence of a higher than normal level of methemoglobin rather than ferrous in the blood. Long-term exposure to nitrates in drinking water causes the development of cancer.
3. Manganese
A naturally occurring metal, manganese is found in food and water. Manganese leaches into drinking water from rocks and soil. Several studies have shown that the presence of high level of manganese in water affects the IQ level, verbal and behavioral performance in children.
To provide a healthy environment for children, (WHO) recommends improving safe water and sanitation, reducing air pollution, and building safer environments, among other actions.
It is very crucial to ensure safe, healthy surroundings, as the environment has a profound influence on children’s growth and development.