Swaziland: Holy Water Could Be Dangerous

MBABANE – While it is believed by some that holy water could lead to good health and healing, researchers at the Institute of Hygiene and Applied Immunology at the Medical University of Vienna found that it can actually be quite harmful.

In a paper titled ‘Holy Springs and Holy Water: Underestimated Sources of Illness’? published in the Journal of Water and Health, researchers gave their reasons why they deemed holy water as being harmful.

It’s important to note that the study was limited to springs and water sources in Austria.

Dangers the document sparks a closer look at the potential dangers associated with holy water in other countries as well.
In collecting information for the study, water was examined at 21 springs in Austria and 18 fonts (vessels that hold holy water at the entrance of churches and at hospitals) and none of it was determined to be safe to drink.

Researchers found samples contained up to 62 million harmful bacteria per millilitre of water.
Tests indicated 86 per cent of the holy water, commonly used in baptism ceremonies and to wet congregants’ lips, was infected with common bacteria found in fecal matter such as E.coli, enterococci and Campylobacter, which can lead to diarrhoea, cramping, abdominal pain and fever.
Nitrates, commonly found in fertiliser from farms, were also identified in the water.

If ingested, water containing nitrates over the maximum level could cause serious illness, especially in infants younger than six months old, which could lead to death if untreated, according to the United States of America Environment Protection Agency.
“We need to warn people against drinking from these sources,” said Dr Alexander Kirschner, study researcher and microbiologist at the Medical University of Vienna.