IMPORTANCE OF WATER, ITS QUALITY AND PROPER MANAGEMENT AS A CHALLENGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Being the most widespread stable chemical compound in the natural environment, water constitutes one of the main elements of living organisms. By actively participating in the metabolism, water enables metabolic conversion, constitutes a component part of cells and tissues, and is involved in the autosomal transport. Water has a wide range of applications. Some of those are the life needs, economy, agriculture or recreation. As a common and natural good, it is fundamental to life. However, it may be life-threatening as well. Despite the existing legal regulations, studies provide evidence that water can be polluted with chemical substances which pose a serious health threat. The aim of the study is to show the influence of changes in water quality caused by chemical pollution as well as threats to health and life which these entail. The method employed in the study was the bibliometric approach, to help investigate environmental water pollution by chemical substances and its effects on health for the period 2011-2021. A literature review was carried out searching through the PubMed and Google scholar databases, taking into account articles in English and Polish. The criterion of thematic classification was implemented to carry out the analysis of bibliographic data. The analyzed articles reveal continued interest in environmental water pollution and its influence on health. In conclusion, water is a chemical compound that is essential to life and to the normal course of the processes occurring in the organism. Hence, good quality of water is crucial. Water contaminated with chemical substances may have negative effects on health. Taking into consideration adverse health effects, it is advisable to constantly monitor the quality of water which is intended for consumption, also in the context of emerging chemical pollution (for instance, active substances in pharmaceuticals).