| Sumario: | In 1993, a Texas community was exposed to highly alkaline water (pH 12.0) through a municipal water supply. A follow-up investigation was conducted to determine what adverse health effects were experienced by the community as a result of this exposure. Review of medical records of 248 patients seen at the city's only hospital indicated that 54 percent of the patients experienced skin problems that included burning, redness, irritation, and rashes. Approximately 24 percent were diagnosed with burns, the majority of which (88 percent) were first-degree burns. One quarter of the patients had documented gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. A follow-up mail survey sent five months after the incident did not uncover any serious health sequelae. This incident underscores the importance of well-trained and vigilant water treatment operators in the maintenance of safe municipal water supplies. As a result of the incident, Texas standards for the design of chemical feed facilities were changed to require the use of chemical day tanks or equivalent equipment between bulk storage tanks and the treatment process. This regulatory change will help prevent chemical overfeed incidents, thereby ensuring a higher level of public health protection.
|
|---|