Heavy metals in water

-- ground water survey by the Central Ground Water Board in Delhi has revealed the presence of heavy metals like cadmium, chromium, lead and iron in excess of the prescribed standards. This was revealed by the Union agriculture minister, Som Pal. The minister said that the government had contemplated several short-term and long-term measures to tackle the problem. The presence of heavy metals in water are responsible for diseases like meningitis. In some areas, the heavy metal levels was 100 per cent more than the prescribed tolerance limits.

The minister said that natural hydrogeological conditions and improper disposal of municipal waste and industrial effluents were responsible for the presence of metals.