A Unified Water Pollution Database: A Comprehensive Repository for Monitoring Chemical Agents and Their Effects on Health and Ecosystems

Water pollution poses a significant threat to both human health and ecological systems worldwide. This abstract proposes the development of a comprehensive database that catalogues chemical agents (natural and human-made) that are found in various water bodies such as lakes, rivers, lagoons, and coastlines. The database will systematically document these pollutants alongside their associated harmful effects on human health and ecosystems. The impetus for creating this database stems from the growing need for a centralized, accessible repository of information that can facilitate research, policy-making, and public awareness. Water quality monitoring often yields fragmented data, which hinders the comprehensive understanding of the impact of pollutants. By aggregating data from various studies, reports, and monitoring programs, this database aims to bridge this gap, providing a holistic view of water contamination. Existing databases focus on specific aspects, such as certain types of pollutants or particular water bodies and may not always link the pollutants to their health and ecological impacts comprehensively. The proposed database would differ by aiming to be more comprehensive and integrative, covering not only a broader range of pollutants but also associating each chemical with its specific harmful effects. By aggregating this information into a single, accessible repository, the proposed database would provide a holistic view of water contamination, filling the gaps left by existing databases and offering a detailed and actionable resource for addressing water quality issues. It will help multiple stakeholders, such as researchers, environmental agencies, and policy-makers, to study the prevalence and impact of specific pollutants to identify priority areas for
intervention, draft evidence-based regulations, monitor the effectiveness of implemented policies, and identify and mitigate public health risks. Additionally, the database will empower the general public and advocacy groups with the necessary knowledge to engage in informed dialogue about water quality issues and advocate for safer environmental practices.