Can Air Pollution Affect Our Drinking Water? Let’s Find Out

The air quality of Delhi has worsened as the temperature drops further. By now, you must have heard how the hazardous air affects not just our lungs, but also our heart, brain, mental health, reproductive system and so on. But did you know that the air we breathe is also linked to the water we drink? As in, the toxic pollutants from our air have the potential to contaminate our drinking water. Yes, you read that right. So even if you are wearing masks, using air purifiers and cleansing your lungs – all these will go in vain if the water you are drinking is polluted.

To get a better understanding of how air pollution can lead to water pollution, the editorial team of OnlyMyHealth reached out to Dr Brunda MS, Sr Consultant - Internal Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangalore. Read ahead.

Can Air Pollution Affect Our Drinking Water?

First things first. Let us start by addressing the elephant in the room. Can air pollution pollute the water we are drinking? Let us see what our expert has to say.

“Air pollution can affect our drinking water because harmful particles in the air can settle on lakes, rivers, and soil, and later mix with the water we use, making it unsafe for health. When factories, vehicles, and waste release chemicals into the air, these chemicals can return to the ground through rain, a process called acid rain, which carries pollutants into water sources. This can lead to contamination with metals, chemicals, and germs. Over time, polluted air can lower water quality, increase the need for treatment, and raise the risk of waterborne diseases, if the water is not properly cleaned,” explains Dr Brunda MS.

Can Air Pollutants Settle Into Water Bodies?

For many people, water bodies still act as the source of the water they use daily for multiple purposes, including drinking. How safe are these water bodies when the AQI is severe?

“Air pollutants can settle into water bodies because tiny particles and chemicals released into the air can fall back to the ground and land in lakes, rivers, and ponds. When pollution from vehicles, factories, and burning waste rises into the air, it mixes with clouds and later returns to the earth through rain, snow, or dust. This process carries harmful substances like heavy metals, chemicals, and dirt into water sources. Over time, these pollutants can make the water dirty, reduce its quality, and harm fish, plants, and people who use the water if it is not cleaned properly,” answers the expert.

To summarise, this is how air pollution can affect the water bodies, as well as our drinking water:

• Pollutants from factories, vehicles, and homes are released into the natural environment.
• The toxic air pollutants were transported and dispersed via wind, rain, and rivers.
• This leads to chemical reactions in the atmosphere or water (such as acid rain formation).
• Then comes the deposition and accumulation in soil, crops, animals, or aquatic environments.
• This way, the pollutants enter into food chains and subsequent health or ecological effects.

Also Read: The Ultimate Expert-backed Diet To Fight Delhi’s Toxic Air

Diseases Caused By Polluted Drinking Water

The water we drink is as important as the air we breathe. In fact, the hygiene of our drinking water often decides the overall wellbeing of our health. Thus, it goes without saying that polluted drinking water has the potential to harm our health, in more ways than one. Our expert explains it further.

“Polluted drinking water can cause many diseases because harmful germs, chemicals, and toxins enter the body and make people sick. Dirty water can lead to diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and dysentery, which cause stomach pain, vomiting, and dehydration,” says Dr Brunda MS.

She adds, “It can also cause hepatitis A, which affects the liver, which leads to long-lasting stomach problems. Chemicals like lead, arsenic, or pesticides in polluted water can harm the kidneys, skin, and nervous system. In children, contaminated water can slow growth and weaken learning ability. Drinking polluted water regularly increases the risk of long-term health problems and severe infections.”

Tips To Protect Health From Water-borne Diseases

Prevention is always better than cure. On this note, Dr Brunda MS shares tips to safeguard your health from water-borne diseases:

• Drink only clean and filtered water.
• Boil water when you are unsure about its safety.
• Always wash your hands with soap before eating and after using the toilet to stop germs from spreading.
• Keep your water storage containers covered and clean them regularly to avoid contamination.
• Avoid eating food washed with unsafe water.
• Choose fresh, well-cooked meals.
• Make sure your surroundings are clean and free from stagnant water.
• During floods or heavy rains, be extra careful and use purified or packaged water for drinking and cooking to stay safe.

Also Read: Cloth, N95, N99 Or Surgical Mask – Which Is The Best For Air Pollution?

The Final Word

Air pollution can affect our drinking water because harmful particles and pollutants in the air can settle on lakes, rivers, and soil, and later mix with the water we use, making it unsafe for health. Polluted drinking water can cause many diseases because harmful germs, chemicals, and toxins enter the body and make people sick. Thus, one must follow safety precautions and consume clean drinking water for overall good health.