Abstract
In this article, the writer discusses that lead is a serious environmental health issue. The writer points out that at exceptionally low concentrations-as low as 0.015 ppm-lead has been known to causes significant damage to health, especially among the very young. It is the hypothesis of this discussion that lead contamination of drinking water represents a persistent and realistic threat to human health. Moreover, the writer maintains that it is a health issue that will actually be quite prevalent in the developed world, perhaps even more so than in the developing world.

From the Paper
"Infants and children to age 6 are susceptible to delays in physical and mental development as well as deficits in attention span and learning ability. Adults contend with issues such as kidney problems and elevated blood pressure (Lead in drinking water, n.d.). Lead contamination in the drinking water supply could be especially problematic because of the ..."

Tags:lead, water, health

Abstract
This paper relates that the negative health effects of lead-contaminated drinking water are significant and occur at very low concentrations. The author points out that the primary source for contamination has been identified as corroding plumbing, which means that almost the whole of the developed world is faced with this danger. The paper urges that samples of real-world concentrations of lead in the drinking water supplies in the developed world should be taken from residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings. The author suggests that this information should be used to develop public health policies.

Table of Contents:
Introduction
Literature Review
Discussion and Analysis
Summary of Findings

From the Paper
"Even at very low levels of lead exposure, individuals can experience measurable and permanent neurological damage. This is especially true for the young. Bryant (2004) contends that children are most susceptible to lead exposure from birth until the age of six. This is consistent with remarks by Watt et al. (1996), who outline the effects of minimal lead exposure to infants via drinking water--from bottle feeding, breast, or directly from the mother's blood before birth. Watt et al. (1996) points out that exposure to low levels of lead in infants has been positively correlated to decreases in intelligence over the course of an individual's life."

Tags:children, plumbing, aged, school, intelligence

Abstract
This paper explains that domestic water supplies across the world vary enormously in quality. The author points out that aluminum has long been linked with an increased risk of Alzheimer's disease, bone diseases, and anemia, and nitrates are known to have gastric effects, neurological implications, and other effects on human health. The paper relates that lead is well-documented to play a role in intellectual retardation, impacts abdominal pain, and has other health effects.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Aluminum
Nitrate
Lead

From the Paper
"Interestingly, aluminum in drinking water may be introduced into the water supply by water treatment processes themselves. Aluminum sulphate is added as a coagulant that removes suspended matter during the water treatment process in many facilities. The aluminum nitrate is then removed through filtration and clarification, but trace amounts may remain. In the European community, the maximum acceptable concentration of aluminum in drinking water in the UK is 0.2 mg/l, based on the incidence of problems with dirty water, rather than health implications."

Tags:filtration, retardation, anemia, domestic, gastric

Abstract
This paper addresses where the world's water sources are located, what classes of contaminants are found in drinking water, how it is processed to become safe for human consumption, and lastly, special attention is given to the problem of lead in drinking water.

From the Paper
"The type of water we generally use in human activities is freshwater. Only 3% of the world's water supply is freshwater and two-thirds of that is frozen, forming the polar ice caps, glaciers, and icebergs. The remaining 1% of the total world water supply is freshwater available as either surface water or ground water; ground water accounts for two-thirds of this amount. Surface water is water that is visible above the ground surface, such as creeks, rivers, ponds and lakes. Ground water is water that either fills the spaces between soil particles or penetrates the cracks and spaces within rocks. Most people get their water from ground water sources. Roughly 9 out of every 10 public water systems. Public water systems operate wells to tap ground water and just over half of the total population served by Public water system drinks water from a ground water source. Millions more get their water from private wells which also tap ground water sources. Ground water systems tend to serve smaller numbers of people, while surface water systems generally serve large populations. The quantity and quality of the world's water supply depends on how we choose to use water. Our use can be consumptive, which means that the water is not returned to nature (such as drinking water), or noncomsumptive. Nonconsumptive use returns water, polluted or not, to the system. Creating hydroelectric power is an example of nonconsumptive use. "

Tags:drought, nature, pollution, sceptic, turbid, organic, disease, contamination, treatment, freshwater, desalination

Abstract
The paper reveals that the fresh water shortages in China are due to man-made pollution and disregard for the environment, leading to almost three-quarters of a billion Chinese to drink contaminated water. The paper discusses the Chinese government's slow response to the problem, but relates that the recent Water Pollution Prevention and Control Law should have some success in bringing safe drinking water to the Chinese population.

Outline:
Introduction
Pollution and Water Resource Issues in China
Solving the Water Pollution Problem in China
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Fresh water is the most important natural resource for human beings second only to oxygen. The average person requires approximately five gallons of water per day for drinking and bathing to maintain minimum acceptable standards of living with respect to normal metabolic and other biological functions and hygiene (Schulte, 2007). However, more than one billion people out of six billion plus worldwide lack adequate access to clean drinking water and almost half of the entire global population lack access to enough water for essential sanitation. The global shortage of clean, safe drinking water and basic sanitation is associated with a tremendously elevated incidence of human disease, mortality at every age group, infants in particular (Schulte, 2007)."

Tags:environment, regulations, violations, health, safety

Abstract
The paper reviews a few different types of fountains and then continues to that which is the most basic of fountains, the drinking fountain. The paper describes the wall mounted type of drinking fountain, designed by Oasis, with a discussion about a few parts and an explanation of those parts. In addition, the paper mentions the legislation enacted which protects consumers from lead based or contaminated products.

From the Paper
"Ultimately they can be beautiful and are often used as a focal point of many public parks, yards and even private building landscapes. Point State Park, located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a very large, considered "spectacular fountain", which is viewable from three sides of the city (Morgan 78). In fact this fountain is considered the Golden Gate Bridge of Pittsburgh. Regardless, these are elaborate fountains, which are not very practical from the everyday person's perspective. Yes, they are relaxing in their sight and sound as well as just being appealing in the freshness that they provide. However, this type of fountain is not one from which we would take a large drink to quench our thirst. These are left to the more crude but useful version of fountains known simply as the "drinking fountain"."

Tags:water, fountain, description

Abstract
The paper explains that many parts of the world have experienced elevated levels of nitrates in their drinking water by virtue of past industrial and agricultural practices. The paper provides a review of the relevant literature to determine the effects of nitrates in drinking water sources and examines what types of testing are typically done to assess the presence of nitrates, in particular in New Jersey. The paper discusses current and future trends in this area. The paper concludes that elevated levels of nitrates in drinking water supplies can result in profound adverse health consequences. People around the world are using their groundwater resources faster than they are being naturally replenished and this has caused further concentrations of any pollutants that might be present.

Outline:
Introduction
Review and Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"In a day and age characterized by debates over oil and potential future energy sources, an important fact is being overlooked. By all accounts, fresh water is far more important than oil and people had better pay closer attention to what is happening to their drinking water sources today. According to Roberts (2001), "Water use in the United States averages about 100 gallons of drinking water per person per day, more than just about any other country. A very small proportion of this water per person, approximately two gallons, is actually used for drinking and cooking. We use the majority of the water that comes into our homes for bathing, flushing toilets, doing laundry, watering lawns, filling swimming pools, and washing cars" (p. 64). Throughout the world, people obtain their drinking water from a wide range of sources, and these same techniques are used in the United States."

Tags:groundwater, resources, pollutants, health

Abstract
The 1980s was the 'International Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Decade.' However, drinking water supply and sanitation problems persist in developing countries. Further, currently problems are emerging with drinking water supplies and sanitation facilities in the developed countries as well.

Abstract
The paper investigates many factors relating to open drinking water reservoirs such as water purification, toxic chemicals and testing systems. The paper shows the risks faced by Portland's reservoir which include the dumping of prescription drugs, waste from tankers and buses and the threat of radon in the drinking water. The paper suggests ways in which the Portland municipality could improve the situation through testing and legislation. It also includes maps of the area to illustrate points.

From the Paper
"While the water is safe perhaps it is not sterilized, which means that it does contain chemicals and other killer organisms. The best way to handle this situation is by protecting and regularly monitoring water from the main source so as to eliminate the possibility of potential contamination later on. To purify the water, treatment practices are used to get rid of the pathogenic organisms that are liable to enter into the water in the reservoir. Most of the water treatment techniques and technologies were actually developed several years ago to cure cholera and typhoid. These techniques are still applicable because they can still protect the public today like they have been for nearly a century. However, the new contaminants require new techniques to treat them, such as pathogens."

Tags:Tribalomethanes, TTHM, chlorine, filtration, ozonization, Oregon, pollution, groundwater

Abstract
This paper examines the fluoridation of drinking water, specifically in the United States. It explains that fluoridation began in the early 20th century with the aim of improving dental health and with the introduction of fluoridated water into community supplies in some countries, reductions in the rates of decayed, missing, and filled teeth (DMFT) among children occurred. The paper looks at how the World Health Organisation, the United States and the E.U. all advocate fluoridation as an effective method of reducing dental caries, and how only the USA, Britain, Australia and Ireland and a few other countries have fully adopted its use in spite of these world health guidelines. The paper also points out how the engineer plays a key role in implementing the use of fluorine and must act responsibly due to its toxic nature and potentially fatal consequences of incorrect use. The paper concludes that the safety and necessity of fluorine in the drinking water in America needs to be monitored with more studies and research by qualified, well-funded, scientific groups.

Table of Contents:
Introduction. What is Fluorine?
Fluoridation History
How Fluoridation Works
Why Fluoridate?
The Engineer and Fluoridation
Fluoridation And The Law
Some Interesting Quotes on the Subject of Fluoridation
Conclusions

From the Paper
"Fluoride is usually added to water samples in solution form because in powder form (e.g. Sodium Fluoride, Sodium Fluorosilicate, etc.) it is toxic, dangerous to handle and must be stored in dust tight containers. Thus fluorine is often added as hydrofluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6).
This acid is safer because if it is spilt on the skin it can easily be washed off using cold water. This acid is stored in water treatment facilities in tanks. The tanks are lined with corrosion resistant rubber lining. Fluoridation usually takes place after all other treatments of the drinking water have been carried out. It must be done after water has been softened because ions in the water interfere with the fluoride content. The water must be mixed thoroughly before it leaves the facility, as fluoride is toxic in higher concentrations."

Tags:hydrofluorosilicic, acid, teeth, decay, health, bones, chemistry