Facts on File Encyclopedia of Health and Medicine

industrial chemicals may also contaminate water
supplies, causing poisoning. People may acquire
waterborne infections through drinking water
supplies or by swallowing water during recre-
ational activities in lakes, rivers, pools, hot tubs,
and similar sources.
Drinking water supplies in the United States
must meet established DRINKING WATER STANDARDS
for purity, which state and local health depart-
ments monitor through regular and spontaneous
testing. Water that does not come from a commu-
nity water supply or properly maintained and dis-
infected private well should be boiled for one
minute, then cooled, before drinking or using to
prepare food.
Environmental water sources such as lakes and
rivers contain numerous BACTERIA and parasites
that can cause illness with contact or consump-
tion. Contamination is higher after steady or
heavy rain, as runoff water that drains into
streams, rivers, and lakes is likely to contain ani-
mal excrement as well as soil-based microbes.
Recreational activities such as boating, swimming,

water-skiing, and fishing hold increased risk for

exposure to such pathogens. It is important to

avoid swallowing environmental water and to

shower to rinse the SKINafter being in the water.

People who hike and camp in back-country areas

should use appropriate decontamination or filtra-

tion methods to draw drinking water from natural

sources. A rapidly moving stream or river does not

necessarily contain fewer microbes, and the clear-

ness of water’s appearance does not mean it is safe

to drink.

COMMON WATERBORNE ILLNESSES

CRYPTOSPORIDIOSIS Escherichia coliINFECTION

GIARDIASIS HEPATITISA

AMEBIASIS CYCLOSPORIASIS

CAMPYLOBACTERIOSIS SALMONELLOSIS

SHIGELLOSIS viral GASTROENTERITIS

See also COMMUNITY SANITATION; ENVIRONMENTAL

HAZARD EXPOSURE; FOODBORNE ILLNESSES; FOOD SAFETY;

HEAVY-METAL POISONING; HEPATITIS PREVENTION; PARA-

SITE; POISON PREVENTION.

waterborne illnesses 363