US Climate and Health Alliance

Climate change impacts on water salinity and health

Abstract

It is estimated that 884 million people do not have access to clean drinking water in the world. Increasing salinity of natural drinking water sources has been reported as one of the many problems that affect low-income countries, but one which has not been fully explored. This problem is exacerbated by rising sea-levels, owing to climate change, and other contributing factors, like changes in fresh water flow from rivers and increased shrimp farming along the coastal areas. In some countries, desalination plants are used to partly remove salt and other minerals from water sources, but this is unlikely to be a sustainable option for low-income countries affected by high salinity. Using the example of Bangladesh as a model country, the following research indicates that the problem of salinity can have serious implications with regard to rising rates of hypertension and other public health problems among large sectors of the worldwide population.

Resource Type
Peer-reviewed article
Authors
Paolo Vineis Queenie Chan Aneire Khan
Resource URL
http://www.jegh.org/article/S2210-6006%2811%2900008-6/abstract
Publication
Journal of Epidemiology and Global Health
Journal Abbr.
J Epidemiol Glob Health
Volume
1
Issue
1
Pages
5-10
Date
Dec 2011
DOI
10.1016/j.jegh.2011.09.001
ISSN
2210-6014
Health and Human Impact
Cardiovascular disease
Climate and Environmental Impacts
Sea level rise Water
Region
International

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