Contents
The world is drying up, which has long been rumored by experts. Droughts threaten not only distant countries, but also Poland. Without water, nature dies, so it has catastrophic consequences for the environment. But not only. Droughts have catastrophic consequences for human health.
- Droughts have consequences not only for the environment and the economy, but also for our health
- Long-term lack of rainfall affects air quality, sanitary and hygienic conditions and the condition of food
- If the drought lasts longer, we must be ready for the development of viral, bacterial and those transmitted by e.g. mosquitoes.
- More information can be found on the Onet homepage.
Drought poses a threat to health both directly and indirectly. Some of its effects are easy to observe and measure, others – long-term – are not always easy to predict and monitor. Long-term lack of rainfall affects air quality, sanitary and hygienic conditions and the condition of food.
Drought and water shortages
As a result of drought, they appear drinking water shortagesand the drinkable one loses its quality. According to the data of the Ministry of Maritime Economy and Inland Navigation, Poland is currently among the countries with the lowest water resources in the entire European Union. In most regions of the country the water in the taps comes from the groundwater. In 11 voivodships, the supply from groundwater exceeds 75%. Reduced rainfall and increased evaporation of surface water mean that groundwater supplies are not being replenished quickly enough. When drought hits, you may find that many homes experience water outages.
Fires, pollution and dry air
Restricted water flow in rivers may increase the concentration of pollutants, cause stagnation and changes in microbiological parameters. An increase in water temperature in lakes and other reservoirs leads to a reduction in oxygen levels and creates ideal conditions for the development of toxin-producing cyanobacteria. It also affects fish and other water organisms.
The fauna inhabiting the reservoirs, however, falls not only due to the increased water temperature, but also from sediments that get there as a result of fires caused by drought. Fires and dry soil have an effect on amount of airborne particles. These particles can irritate the bronchial channels and lungs, and exacerbate chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma. They can also increase the risk of acute respiratory infections such as bronchitis and bacterial pneumonia.
Short growing season
Moreover, the lack of rainfall shortens the growing season and creates favorable conditions pest infestation and diseases attacking certain crops. Poor yields can lead to food shortages and increases in food prices, increasing the risk of malnutrition in households with fewer material resources.
Old and new diseases
Drought creates the need to conserve water, which may have an impact on hygiene, and thus also increase the risk of spreading dangerous viruses and bacteria, especially those that cause acute respiratory diseases, stomach and intestines. In drought conditions, the likelihood of food contamination with E. coli and salmonella bacteria increases. Food becomes a carrier of bacteria when farmers irrigate their fields with improperly treated water due to deficiencies.
Due to the drought, even those diseases that have not occurred in our latitude are beginning to spread. During periods of limited rainfall, wild animals are more likely to seek water in areas where people live, and therefore the likelihood of human contact with wildlife and diseases transmitted by some species is increasing.
Drought reduces the size of water bodies and causes them to stagnate. In such conditions, they hatch potentially dangerous mosquitoes that can become, for example, a vector for the West Nile virus. This virus has already established itself in almost the entire southern part of the continent, and its range is growing. In 2018, the West Nile fever reached the Czech Republic.
The editorial board recommends:
- Climate changes? It is already happening! We can still keep them. We have 12 years to do so
- Climate change will harm those with heart disease
- Why is malnutrition so dangerous for the body?
You haven’t been able to find the cause of your ailments for a long time? Do you want to tell us your story? Write to the address [email protected] #Together we can do more