increases the risk of respiratory adverse effects and bladder cancer (Manasfi et al.
2017).
Even traces of pharmaceuticals were identified in ground water and surface water
which are used as drinking water supply. The health risk due to pharmaceuticals is
hardly reported because of their low concentration in water. The total concentration
of drugs present in the contaminated water might not match the dosages prescribed
by the doctors. So one cannot rule out the long-term effect of these compounds
present in water, but, at the same time, it is impossible to prove that the risk of any
pollutant in water is zero (Jones et al. 2005).
Herbicides and pesticides are the other organic contaminants which pose a threat
to human health. Literature supports the link between pesticides and various types of
cancer (Alavanja et al. 2004). Even fetuses are vulnerable to pesticides as they can
pass through the placenta and the blood-brain barrier, and they are found in amniotic
fluid (Bradman et al. 2003). It is due to the higher heart rate, food consumption
pattern, and their hand-to-mouth behavior, making children more susceptible to
pesticide poisoning than pregnant women (Garry 2004). Organic dyes generally
impart color to water, a clear proof of water contamination. Mostly, azo dyes exhibit
carcinogenic activity, and some of them causes allergic reactions too. Toxicity of
dyes increases with the increase of benzene rings in their structure. A few studies
have reported the DNA damage due to dyes (Uysal et al. 2017).
Some studies have shown the carcinogenic nature of organic pollutants, such as
chlorinated and brominated polyaromatic compounds. Polybrominated biphenyl is
reported as a probable compound that causes liver tumors (Groce and Kimbrough
1984). Generally, most of the organic pollutants on long term exert a carcinogenic
effect on human health. Persistent organic chemicals contribute to large number of
endocrine disrupting chemicals which mimic human hormones by blocking or
binding to hormone receptors (Basile et al. 2011). Some of the common endocrine
disrupting chemicals are listed in Table 13.2.
13.4 Common Methods Employed for the Treatment
of Organic Pollutants
Some organic chemicals are degraded by natural events, such as bioremediation,
using naturally occurring bacteria. However, most of the organic chemicals show
some resistance to such degradation and require physical and chemical methods for
remediation. In the last decade, numerous methods have been reported for the
removal of organic contaminants from water. Among the various methods available
for the removal of organic pollutants, the most common methods are adsorption,
advanced oxidation, photocatalysis, electrochemical methods, and bioremediation.
Different types of materials are being developed and investigated under these
methods for the removal of organic pollutants. Similarly, a wide variety of
506
G. Dheenadayalan and R. Thiruvengadathan
2017).
Even traces of pharmaceuticals were identified in ground water and surface water
which are used as drinking water supply. The health risk due to pharmaceuticals is
hardly reported because of their low concentration in water. The total concentration
of drugs present in the contaminated water might not match the dosages prescribed
by the doctors. So one cannot rule out the long-term effect of these compounds
present in water, but, at the same time, it is impossible to prove that the risk of any
pollutant in water is zero (Jones et al. 2005).
Herbicides and pesticides are the other organic contaminants which pose a threat
to human health. Literature supports the link between pesticides and various types of
cancer (Alavanja et al. 2004). Even fetuses are vulnerable to pesticides as they can
pass through the placenta and the blood-brain barrier, and they are found in amniotic
fluid (Bradman et al. 2003). It is due to the higher heart rate, food consumption
pattern, and their hand-to-mouth behavior, making children more susceptible to
pesticide poisoning than pregnant women (Garry 2004). Organic dyes generally
impart color to water, a clear proof of water contamination. Mostly, azo dyes exhibit
carcinogenic activity, and some of them causes allergic reactions too. Toxicity of
dyes increases with the increase of benzene rings in their structure. A few studies
have reported the DNA damage due to dyes (Uysal et al. 2017).
Some studies have shown the carcinogenic nature of organic pollutants, such as
chlorinated and brominated polyaromatic compounds. Polybrominated biphenyl is
reported as a probable compound that causes liver tumors (Groce and Kimbrough
1984). Generally, most of the organic pollutants on long term exert a carcinogenic
effect on human health. Persistent organic chemicals contribute to large number of
endocrine disrupting chemicals which mimic human hormones by blocking or
binding to hormone receptors (Basile et al. 2011). Some of the common endocrine
disrupting chemicals are listed in Table 13.2.
13.4 Common Methods Employed for the Treatment
of Organic Pollutants
Some organic chemicals are degraded by natural events, such as bioremediation,
using naturally occurring bacteria. However, most of the organic chemicals show
some resistance to such degradation and require physical and chemical methods for
remediation. In the last decade, numerous methods have been reported for the
removal of organic contaminants from water. Among the various methods available
for the removal of organic pollutants, the most common methods are adsorption,
advanced oxidation, photocatalysis, electrochemical methods, and bioremediation.
Different types of materials are being developed and investigated under these
methods for the removal of organic pollutants. Similarly, a wide variety of
506
G. Dheenadayalan and R. Thiruvengadathan