Toxic ammonia polluting water and air: How does it damage your health?

Visuals of a toxic water froth floating on Yamuna water have been constantly making headlines, and increasing the concern around pollution. While pollution can now be termed as a seasonal woe without any respite, what's alarming is the way toxic pollutants, including ammonia are ruining the quality of not just the air we breathe, but the water, and also indirectly affecting our health.

Ammonia has been long regarded and considered as a harmful substance which can affect water quality, damage flora and aquatic life, and ghastly enough to make the water we drink highly impure, and cause worrisome health consequences. We talked to a doctor to find out how ammonia can act as a devastating water pollutant, and the steps we must take right now to safeguard our health.

Ammonia is a chemical substance which is usually colourless and pungent and has properties which make it highly soluble when it comes in contact with water. Now, while it's an bioactive compound, it can also be released into water streams and sources as a major form of pollutant through industrial waste or discharge. It is also produced when plants, animals and animal wastes decay. It has 47% water solubility, and is extremely difficult to trace or detoxify as well. Typically, along with phosphorus, ammonia is deemed as a sign of rising pollution levels, and can lead to formation of dangerous froth above the water level, making it seriously unhealthy.

The toxic air pollution is not just making citizens gasp for breath, but also considerably ruining the quality of water we use for day-to-day activities, including the water we drink. Since most of the water which is used for consumption comes through these water bodies (which are chemically treated), according to Dr Seema Dhir, Senior Consultant, Internal Medicine, Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, the problem arises when the ammonia levels in water are higher than permissible limits. While small amounts of ammonia can be treated in water plants with the use of chlorine (which neutralizes ammonia), the problem arises when the ammonia levels are extremely high, just like it is right now. A level of 2.2 ppm (parts per million), which was the reading taken as of last Saturday (two days post Diwali), is considered too toxic a level of ammonia to be chemically treated or purified, and thus impacts water supply as well.

Further, experts say that while ammonia and other such toxins are released throughout the year, the problem worsens during the months of September- December, and of course, aggravated by the toxic pollutants in the air as well.

High ammonia levels do not just disrupt the water supply, but also pose grave damage to our health, if consumed. Any kind of exposure to ammonia, in a significantly high manner, whether through air or water consumption can be seriously impactful for our health, and lead to long-term health consequences as well.

Dr Dhir also warns that ammonia levels can act as a double threat- since it's a serious neurotoxin and a lung toxin, meaning that upon exposure, it can inflict serious damage to the nervous system and cognitive functioning in the brain. Since ammonia can also be present in the air, it can further cause health problems, and cause symptoms of pollution. Once ingested or consumed through impure water sources or untreated water, it can permeate cell membranes, pass through the bloodstream and impact nervous functioning at the core level.

For people who suffer from extreme ammonia pollution, it could be possible to encounter symptoms like:

-Tingling, giddiness in the limbs

-Burning in the eyes or the mouth

-Increase chances of forgetfulness

-Decreased memory, attentiveness and coordination

-Inflammation and irritation in throat

When ammonia enters the body as a result of swallowing or skin contact, it can tend to react with water to produce ammonium hydroxide. This can eventually damage cells in the body on contact. The severity of health effects also depends on the route of exposure, the dose and the duration of exposure.

While it has been largely talked about how severe air pollution could increase problems for those with long COVID, increasing instances of people complaining of respiratory issues, Dr Dhir also adds that even ammonia levels in water could cause damage to the lungs, and induce difficulty breathing. Even a small quantity of ammonia in the air could lead to upper respiratory issues like runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis, whereas high levels of ammonia in water, if consumed could harm the lungs, vascular function and in cases, also lead to mortality, and must not be taken lightly. If the levels of pollution are excessively high, it could also lead to lung injury like COVID, and the toxicity doubles for those with a prior diseased lung, such as due to COVID or other respiratory complications.

Dr Dhir recommends the usage of RO (Reverse Osmosis) water purifiers, since it can effectively act down on small quantities of ammonia present in the water. Additionally, if the water levels in your area are severely polluted, one can also make use of chlorine and chloramine to reduce soluble ammonia in water and detoxify drinking water. Special considerations must be taken while fending to children and pregnant women, and old people.