Contamination of public water supply by emerging pollutants and the right to health

Abstract

Emerging pollutants are substances with potential to cause cancer and human infertility. However, the monitoring of these substances in the public water supply is still incipient in Brazil. Contaminated bodies of water often become public sources of supply, and conventional techniques for sewage and water treatment are not adequate to remove these emerging pollutants also called micropollutants. The aim of this paper is to discuss routes of introduction of micropollutants in water for public supply, the consequences of such substances on human health, and the main legal instruments of the Health Law that, if well applied, can help to minimize damages to public health caused by these contaminants. This is achieved with bibliographic survey of books, journals, public institutions' databases, legislation and other relevant sources. Understanding the relationships between the social and environmental determinants and the degradation of the quality of water is of great importance to promote the improvement of living conditions and health of vulnerable populations. Observation shows that the regulatory framework to protect the right to water is wide and should be considered by the state government for imposing rules of conduct, and by civil society for monitoring compliance with the rules laid down in order to preserve the quality of the environment and protect public health, guaranteeing the right to good quality water.