Study: Self-reported anticipated harm from drinking water across 141 countries. Image Credit: nikkytok / Shutterstock A recent Nature Communications study investigates the prevalence and factors contributing to anticipated harm from drinking water. The public perception of water safety Despite the rise in global drinking water crises, the associated health and social consequences are poorly characterized.
Water quality data are available for less than half of the global population, and available indicators do not capture all drinking water risks. 703 million people don’t have clean water close to home. WaterAid Alarmingly, even safely managed drinking water sources are not free from contaminants.
They may contain several contaminants, including polyfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics. Water may even become contaminated during storage and transportation. Individuals who believe that they are exposed to harmful drinking water experience higher levels of psychological stress and, as a result, are at an increased risk of depression.
These individuals are less likely to pay for public water. They will often substitute sugar-sweetened beverages for water and only drink bottled water, both of which have negative consequences on the individual and their environment. Recording self-reported experiences can help detect heterogeneities based on gender, age, urbanicity, and other factors, which could support the development of policies that address consumer concerns.
Despite this .
