Análisis de contaminación del agua urbana en el ecuador, efectos en la salud y sus alternativas de mitigación

Abstract

This bibliographic study focuses on analyzing the main sources of pollution in Ecuador, the health effects they cause, and proposing mitigation alternatives. Water is an essential resource, but its availability is limited. Poor management of wastewater, mainly by the industry, leads to pollution and affects the health of the population. Annually, around 534,000 children under the age of 5 die due to diseases related to exposure to contaminated water. The qualitative-descriptive methodology was employed for the research, searching for scientific articles in high-impact journals. The main sources of pollution in the country's cities were identified, and the current regulations were described. Activities such as hydrocarbon exploitation, pesticide use, and urban solid waste discharge are responsible for pollution. Health effects vary depending on the activity, with heavy metals and pesticides being the most lethal. The project concludes by proposing public policies that raise awareness and promote less polluting alternatives for companies. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of regulations and sanctions to guarantee water quality and protect the health of the population.