US EPA

1331476 

Journal Article 

Global Water Pollution and Human Health 

Schwarzenbach, RP; Egli, T; Hofstetter, TB; Von Gunten, U; Wehrli, B 

2010 

Yes 

Annual Review of Environment and Resources
ISSN: 1543-5938
EISSN: 1545-2050 

Annual Review of Environment and Resources 

35 

1 

109-136 

10.1146/annurev-environ-100809-125342 

WOS:000284721100005 

http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/abs/10.1146/annurev-environ-100809-125342
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Water quality issues are a major challenge that humanity is
facing in the twenty-first century. Here, we review the main groups of aquatic contaminants,
their effects on human health, and approaches to mitigate pollution of freshwater resources.
Emphasis is placed on chemical pollution, particularly on inorganic and organic micropollutants
including toxic metals and metalloids as well as a large variety of synthetic organic chemicals.
Some aspects of waterborne diseases and the urgent need for improved sanitation in developing
countries are also discussed. The review addresses current scientific advances to cope with the
great diversity of pollutants. It is organized along the different temporal and spatial scales of
global water pollution. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have affected water systems on a
global scale for more than five decades; during that time geogenic pollutants, mining operations,
and hazardous waste sites have been the most relevant sources of long-term regional and local
water pollution. Agricultural chemicals and wastewater sources exert shorter-term effects on
regional to local scales. 

agriculture; geogenic; micropollutants; mining; pathogens; wastes