The Impact of Water-Related Pollution on Food Systems in Transition: The Case of Northern Vietnam

Abstract

In Vietnam, agricultural practices such as fertilizer and pesticide use affect the landscape as well as the availability and safety of food. For instance, pesticides and fertilizer end up in surface water used for drinking water, crop irrigation, and in fish tanks. However, the link to actual food consumption and health is complex and information is lacking. This study considers potential water-related exposure to toxic hazards in northern Vietnam food systems, through the consumption of food commodities and of water. Water pollution is operationalized by considering the following two channels: i) pesticide and nutrient leaching to surface water (share of surface water) and ii) industrial runoff from facilities located in urban areas (share of urban areas). We explore how potential exposure to toxic hazard is related to food consumption choices. Using a sample of the Vietnam Household Living Standard Survey (VHLSS) for 2014, we estimate how shares of food consumption categories in total food consumption are affected by household and landscape characteristics, the latter also reflecting potential environmental pressures. In districts with higher shares of surface water, the share of fish consumption is higher and the share of meat consumption is lower. From an environmental and health perspective, households in water-rich areas thus may have a higher probability of being exposed to toxic chemicals due to higher fish consumption. In districts with higher shares of urban areas, the shares of meat and cereals in total food consumption value were lower, and the shares of fish and fruit and vegetables were higher. The results indicate that food consumption is affected by landscape characteristics that may also influence the level of exposure to water-related environmental pressures, and that this combined effect may potentially exacerbate food safety and health risks. The actual impact is more complex and should be analyzed with more sophisticated data and methods.

The Importance of Measuring Arsenic in Honey, Water, and PM10 for Food Safety as an Environmental Study: Experience from the Mining and Metallurgical Districts of Bor, Serbia

“…In general, the results of previous studies have mainly indicated an increased concentration of heavy metals and arsenic in honey produced near mining areas; however, in most cases, they did not exceed illegal limits [12], and hence, honey is safe for use and human health [66,67]. However, some authors have called for caution [18,63,68,69], which is also the case with the authors of this study.…”

Assessing the Complex Relationship Between Water Quality and Obesity Prevalence

“…Water contamination can harm agricultural fields, causing crops and cattle to absorb pollutants. Contaminated food and water can lead to the absorption of toxic substances, which can affect energy balance and metabolic processes in the body (Linderhof et al, 2021). The risk of contaminated food and water is increased in areas where river water is used for agriculture or drinking water supplies.…”

Heterogeneous Optical Fiber Sensor System for Temperature and Turbidity Assessment in Wide Range

“…In spite of the fact that water is an abundant resource on earth, pollution and waste lead to a substantial reduction in the amount of water available for human consumption, causing a water shortage in some regions [ 19 ]. A variety of sources contribute to water pollution, including chemical disposal of pharmaceuticals, industrial processes, agriculture, and household waste [ 20 ]. In light of the importance of water and the increasing pollution in rivers, oceans, and lakes, the promotion and assessment of water quality have become key priorities in environmental policy [ 19 ].…”

“…In light of the importance of water and the increasing pollution in rivers, oceans, and lakes, the promotion and assessment of water quality have become key priorities in environmental policy [ 19 ]. Moreover, water pollution also impacts aquatic species, which are exposed to environmental pollution, resulting in an increase in mortality [ 20 ]. In addition to polluting aquatic species, the toxins in fish and other aquatic species can also be transmitted to other aquatic and non-aquatic species, including humans, via the food chain [ 21 ].…”