Water Pollution In The Chesapeake Bay

Water Pollution: Harming the Human Health The release of chemicals affects water pollution in the Chesapeake Bay, affecting the health of the human population. There are several chemicals which are more common in the Chesapeake Bay than others. A growing concern for the Bay is the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus there is since it continues to grow each year. One of the most common ways that chemicals end up in the Bay is due to agricultural runoff. Although many efforts are being made to solve that issue. There are numerous different diseases linked with contaminated water which are harmful to the health. The Chesapeake Bay is in danger and many endeavors are being taken to save the Bay. The amount of harmful chemicals in the Chesapeake

Arsenic comes in several forms which are potentially poisonous. Many water supplies which are located near mines have a higher risk of being contaminated by arsenic poisons. Arsenic can disrupt the metabolic levels in the human body. Lead is another chemical which is a great concern to the human health. Although lead is a natural element in the environment, most of the pollutants of lead come from human activities. This element is extremely toxic which creates greater concern regarding health. A few effects of lead on the human body are damage in brain development, certain learning skills for children, behavior in adults and children, high blood pressure, reproduction, and the growth of adults and children (“Department of Ecology,” 2007-2011). As arsenic and lead have risky effects, mercury, petroleum related compounds, and PCBs also have fatal

Certain diseases specifically linked to the Chesapeake Bay involving chemicals include: Vibrio, Cyanobacteria, and Cryptosporidium. The first disease, Vibrio, is a combination of warmer water, nutrient pollution (nitrogen and phosphorus), and other factors creating a bacteria which causes skin and blood infections. It can also contribute to intestinal illnesses and it is a life-threatening disease. Researchers from various universities such as the University of Maryland and John Hopkins have recorded cases of this disease in several states. Two of the states include Virginia and Maryland, who has recorded cases within the past decade. The next disease, Cyanobacteria, involves nutrient pollution to promote the growth of algal blooms which are detrimental to the human health. Cyanobacteria causes liver disease, skin rashes, nausea, and vomiting. Recent experiments conducted by Peter Tango proved that algal blooms have been increasing. Tango tested the water from the bay from 2000 through 2006, testing the algal blooms. Soon, there will be enough toxins which will prevent children from swimming in the water. Cryptosporidium, the final common disease in the Chesapeake Bay, is created in the summer due to polluted runoff, animal waste, and sewage wastes. This is frequently found in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and the swimming pools nearby (Pelton, 2009). Chemicals, especially in the Chesapeake Bay,