A shocking discovery is bound to make Qatar residents worry about their water source and quality. A research states that Qatar's tap water may be safe but can still endanger the consumer's health.
Since Qatar is a desert nation, their main source of water is seawater as stated in Hukoomi. With an energy-intensive thermal process, seawater is desalinated to be available for the inhabitants' use. This kind of "synthetic water" is safe from chemicals and bacteria but is lacking of essential minerals needed by the body according to Dr. Jerome Nriagu.
As per Doha News, the Professor Emeritus at the School of Public Health and Research and the Center for Human Growth and Development at the University of Michigan has graced the Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute workshop where he laid out his concerns regarding Qatar's tap water.
"By constantly drinking water with low potassium and magnesium, you increase the risk of getting obesity and hypertension, and (certain) metabolic disorders," he explained.
Since the water is treated, certain additives are incorporated to make them less corrosive to safely travel through the pipes. According to Nriagu, essential minerals should be added to make the water safe and healthy at the same time.
In addition to the professor's advice, the World Health Organization (WHO) urged the responsible agency to follow mineral guidelines for home treatment devices and bottled water. They also shared that taking in water with low magnesium levels may lead to an increased risk of sudden death, motor neuronal disease, pregnancy disorders and some kinds of cancer.
They continued to warn about taking in soft water or water that is low in calcium as it imposes a higher risk for fractures in kids, some neurodegenerative diseases, pre-term birth and some kinds of cancer. Nriagu also emphasized that Qatar's water is not toxic but lacking of the components to make people healthy.
