What type of organisms can be transmitted through wastewater and pose health risks?

Pathogens are microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can be transmitted through wastewater. When wastewater is not properly treated or managed, it can carry these harmful pathogens, which pose significant health risks to humans and animals. Exposure to wastewater can lead to various diseases, including gastrointestinal infections, hepatitis, and other serious health issues.

In contrast, while carcinogens, heavy metals, and organic compounds also present health risks, they do not originate from living organisms. Carcinogens refer to substances that can lead to cancer, heavy metals are inorganic substances that can be toxic or harmful to human health, and organic compounds encompass a broad range of chemicals that may be harmful but do not include the infectious agents characteristic of pathogens. Thus, pathogens are uniquely linked to the transmission through wastewater, making them the primary concern in this context.