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EUROPE: Reports Say Water Quality Lacking
European water quality leaves much to be desired, according to reports presented in Budapest last week at a meeting on a global water and health treaty, the World Health Organization-UN Economic Commission for Europe Protocol on Water and Health.Of the 20 million people worldwide who die each year of waterborne diseases, 1 million are in Europe, according to WHO statistics. Water carries not only traditional microorganisms but also new pathogens that are of concern, said Roberto Bertollini, director of WHO's European Center for Environment and Health.
German drinking water has been shown to contain increasing amounts of drugs, hormones from contraceptives, pain killers and other medications. High levels of ammonia, iron, manganese and arsenic have been found in Hungarian water.
"Of particular concern are chemicals with cumulative toxic properties, such as lead from water pipes, nitrates and pesticides from agricultural and livestock operations, as well as natural contaminants such as arsenic and fluoride," Bertollini said. "The extent of human exposure to chemical contaminants in Europe and the magnitude of their effects on the health of the population still needs to be assessed."
Possible effects from persistent exposure to pollutants include reduced sperm counts and increased testicular and prostate cancer, he said (Carl Kovac, Budapest Sun, 9 Nov).