Water and human health

The course covers the global water cycle, distribution, and usage issues, as well as chemical pollution of water including toxic substances like DDT, mercury, and nitrogen. It also discusses the impact of climate change on freshwater resources and the effects of endocrine disruptors. The course aims to educate learners on water as a global resource, chemical pollution, and its effects on human health. The teaching method includes lectures, case studies, and self-assessment questions. This course is intended for individuals interested in environmental science, public health, or sustainability.

• Introduction
• Learning outcomes
• 1 Water as a global resource
• 1 Water as a global resource
• 2 The global water cycle
• 2 The global water cycle
• 3 The distribution of water and its use by people
• 3 The distribution of water and its use by people
• 3.1 Water distribution and usage issues
• 3.2 The impact of climate change on global freshwater resources
• 4 Chemical pollution of water
• 4 Chemical pollution of water
• 4.1 Levels of toxic substances
• Bioaccumulation
• 4.2 DDT: a classic case in ecotoxicology
• 4.3 Mercury
• The effects of mercury compounds on wildlife and on people
• 4.4 Nitrogen: a developing threat to health
• Effects on humans
• 4.5 Endocrine disruptors
• The evidence for endocrine disruption in wildlife
• The evidence for endocrine disruption in humans
• 4.6 Postscript to Section 4
• Conclusion
• 6 Self-assessment questions
• 6 Self-assessment questions
• References
• Acknowledgements