A review of groundwater human diseases and the role of hydrogeological factors in counteracting them

Even though surface water is more susceptible to pollution and pathogens than groundwater, nowadays, it has been affirmed that groundwater may not only cause diseases in humanity, but also contaminate surface water. However, few studies have hitherto taken into account the groundwater diseases. The objective of this study is to evaluate the pathogens and diseases apropos of groundwater and to assess the key role of hydrogeological factors in alleviating them.

In this study, different articles, especially case studies, related to groundwater diseases were reviewed.

Groundwater may be the origin of many diseases affecting different parts of the body. Gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, cerebral, respiratory, skeletal, dental, ocular, and psychological diseases along with typhoid, cholera, hepatitis, goiter, metaglobin, bronchitis, poliomyelitis, anemia, internal bleeding, aging, allergies, sore throat, conjunctivitis, anosmia, inflammation and burning of the mouth, anesthesia, learning disabilities, behavioral and hyperactivity disorders in children, impaired fertility and fetal development, methemoglobinemia, congenital defect, cancer, and even death may occur in lights of groundwater.

Acquiring knowledge about the groundwater systems might be advantageous to a thorough understanding of issues relating to pathogens, and their refinement. Indeed, dissimilar groundwater systems having various hydrogeological characteristics exist. Considering features such as the type of geological formations, the aquifer's depth, and the anthropogenic influences, viz. groundwater over-exploitation, can complicate the issue, and impose requirements on hydrogeological studies in terms of self-purification.