Escherichia coli is a normal commensal organism for humans and many animals. While there are many harmless E. coli strains, E. coli O157:H7 can cause food- and waterborne illness. One route of human exposure to E. coli is through the consumption of contaminated drinking water. The bacteria are shed in animal and human fecal matter, and drinking water sources may become contaminated during rain or snowmelts that wash E. coli-contaminated wastes into surface and ground water. If the source water is not properly treated, drinking water may remain contaminated with E. coli. Read more »

Aging is associated with physiological, functional, and behavioral changes that can result in increased vulnerability to biological and chemical contaminants in drinking water. As a group, the elderly are at increased risk of infection and disease from microbial contamination due to many factors, such as reduced immunity, frailty from malnutrition, or existing chronic illness. In addition, decreased liver and kidney function associated with aging affects how the body processes chemicals, and irregularities of the thirst mechanism alter fluid balance. Exposure patterns for the institutionalized elderly may also differ in important ways from patterns in other populations. As a group, the elderly can suffer more severe consequences from infections such as Salmonella and E. coli O157:H7, and are at greater risk of dying from waterborne infections. Read more »

Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) form when chlorine or other disinfectants react with organic material (from the decomposition of leaves and other vegetation) naturally found in drinking water sources. The use of chlorine to disinfect drinking water has been hailed as one of the major public health breakthroughs in the 20th century, resulting in a large decrease in mortality from waterborne infectious disease. However, in 1976 the National Cancer Institute published data showing that chloroform, a chlorination byproduct, caused cancer in rodents. There is now evidence that disinfection—though pivotal in fighting infectious disease—may also result in cancer and other health risks for humans. Read more »

In the United States, cancer is the second leading cause of death, exceeded only by heart disease. According to recent National Cancer Institute statistics, the incidence of many cancers, including breast, testicular, urinary bladder, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has increased in recent decades. As described in this document, some neoplastic diseases have been linked to drinking water contaminants. Read more »

Atrazine is the most widely used pesticide in U.S. agriculture and is the predominant member of the triazine herbicide family. Although EPA restricts use to certified applicators, atrazine is used extensively in the Midwest, as well as in the Appalachian region, New England, and the Coastal Plains. Some 80 million pounds of atrazine are applied annually, primarily to corn, sorghum, and other crops. It is also registered for use on lawns and golf courses. Read more »

Cryptosporidium parvum (C. parvum) is a protozoan parasite known to infect humans and many animal species. The infective oocysts of Cryptosporidium are shed in the feces, and infection can occur by consumption of contaminated food or water, ingestion of contaminated recreational water, or through contact with feces of infected persons or animals. Cryptosporidium is not new, but is has gained recognition, both because it has become more widespread and because of evidence that there are potential life-threatening consequences of infection in the growing population of immunocompromised persons. Read more »

Arsenic is a poisonous heavy metal, and exposure to it can occur through inhalation, dermal contact and ingestion. Most exposure, however, occurs through consumption of arsenic-contaminated food and water. Contamination of drinking water supplies with arsenic can occur by runoff of arsenical pesticides, dissolution of natural mineral deposits, atmospheric deposition, industrial releases, or improperly disposed chemicals. Read more »

What health care providers should know. Read more »

Published in February, 2009 by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Abolishing Nuclear Weapons: A Debate, is a comprehensive look at the challenges of nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation. Read more »

Every human being on the planet has the right to basic nutrition and health. Yet, the United Nations estimates that as many as 963 million people in the world are undernourished. A combination of economic and geographical factors conspires to deprive people of sustainable access to safe, nutritious, and palatable food. Consequently, a substantial and increasing proportion of the population is denied health and therefore cannot hope to live productive lives. Read more »