Water pollution

• Another method of conservation of water is to safeguard fresh water from pollution.
• Garbage and harmful chemicals pollute the water and make it unfit for use. Polluted water also affects the aquatic life.
• Plants and animals in and around polluted water may die or get infected.
• And when human beings consume the contaminated fish, etc., they are also put at risk of diseases.

Case Study:

• In the 1950's, one of the most severe incidents of industrial pollution and mercury poisoning occurred in the small seaside town of Minamata, Japan.
• Residents of Minamata, who relied heavily on fish for food, were at risk of exposure to methyl mercury with every bite of fish they ate.
• An estimated 2 million people from the area suffered health problems or were left permanently disabled from the contamination.
• This form of toxicity in humans is now called Minamata disease.