The Silent Threat: Why Heavy Metals in Water Deserve Your Attention
Water is essential for life, but contaminated water poses a great threat to your health.
Heavy metals are one such contaminant that is considered a silent threat to your health. Their presence in water may lead to life-threatening consequences.
Unlike other pollutants, even a small dose of some heavy metals has the potential to disrupt your body’s normal metabolic functions.
According to a report from the Centre for Science and Environment, 75% of river monitoring stations in India reported alarming levels of heavy metals.
But your groundwater must be safe.
If you thought so, the results from the groundwater quality tests are even more shocking.
Over 80% of the Indian population depends on groundwater and toxic metals were found in groundwater in almost all states of India.
In this blog post, you’ll explore the different heavy metals found in water, their effects on health, how to test for them, and ways to remove them.
List of Heavy Metals in Water
As per the scientific definition, heavy metals are defined as ‘elements with an atomic number higher than 20’.
For laymen, heavy metals are elements that have a high density and are toxic to humans beyond the recommended limits.
Here is a list of the most common heavy metals found in drinking water in India.
- Lead
- Mercury
- Arsenic
- Cadmium
- Chromium
- Copper
- Iron
Sources of Heavy Metals in Drinking Water?
These metals can enter drinking water sources through natural processes, such as weathering of rocks and soil erosion, or through human activities like mining, agriculture, manufacturing, and improper waste disposal.
Heavy metals are naturally present in the earth’s crust. Rocks are a natural source of heavy metals like iron, copper, lead, arsenic, etc.
Effects of Heavy Metals in Water
Some have termed heavy metals as indestructible poisons.
And rightly so.
There are enough scientific studies to prove that the effects of heavy metals on human health can be severe, irreversible, and long-lasting.
Continuous and prolonged exposure results in the accumulation of these heavy metals in your vital organs, like the liver, kidneys, and brain. This leads to a range of serious and life-threatening health problems.
Some of the most common health effects of heavy metal exposure include cancer, nervous system damage, developmental problems, and reproductive issues.
Children, pregnant women, and the old population are highly vulnerable to the harmful effects of heavy metals.
Testing for Heavy Metals in Water
Testing for heavy metals in water is essential to ensure the safety of your drinking water.
You can get your drinking water tested for heavy metals in a water testing lab or do a preliminary investigation using a home testing kit.
Lab tests are generally more accurate as they can detect even minute traces of heavy metals in water.
On the other hand, home water testing kits are more convenient and affordable but the results may not be as accurate as lab tests.
How to Remove Heavy Metals from Water
Fortunately, there are several methods to remove heavy metals from water.
The most common methods include reverse osmosis and distillation.
Reverse osmosis is an effective method that can remove up to 99% of heavy metals from water.
Distillation is another effective method that involves boiling water and collecting the steam, leaving behind heavy metals.
For homes and offices, a reverse osmosis water purifier is the most convenient, effective, and affordable choice to get rid of heavy metals in your drinking water.
Conclusion
Heavy metals in water are a serious threat to your health.
They can cause long-lasting health effects, including cancer, nervous system damage, developmental problems, and reproductive issues.
Testing for heavy metals in water is essential to ensure the safety of your drinking water.
Reverse osmosis is the most common and effective method to remove heavy metals from your drinking water.
By being aware of the risks of heavy metals in water and taking action to remove them, you can protect your health and well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The most common heavy metal found in water in India is arsenic. It is estimated that more than 50 million people in India are exposed to unsafe levels of arsenic in their drinking water, particularly in the states of West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Manipur, and Assam. Arsenic contamination in water sources is a serious public health issue in India, and India has made very good progress in addressing it through programs like Jal Jeevan Mission.
Several heavy metals can be toxic in drinking water, but one of the most toxic is lead. Lead can cause a range of health effects, particularly in children and pregnant women, including developmental delays, lower IQ, and behavioral problems. Lead is commonly found in older pipes and plumbing fixtures and can leach into drinking water over time. Arsenic and Mercury are also highly toxic and very dangerous.
There are several ways to determine if your water has heavy metals:
Water testing: The most accurate way to determine if your water has heavy metals is to have it tested by a certified water testing lab. A water testing lab can find out the presence and concentration of heavy metals.
Geographic location: Some areas are more prone to heavy metal contamination than others. For example, areas with a history of mining or industrial activity may have higher levels of heavy metals in their water. Agricultural areas known for misuse of fertilizers and pesticides are also known for high levels of heavy metals in groundwater.
If you suspect that your drinking water may have heavy metals, get it tested in a lab and install a reverse osmosis system.
The top 5 heavy metals found in water that are of concern to human health are Lead, Arsenic, Mercury, Cadmium, and Chromium.
