High levels of toxic metals pollution in the ground water in Tisayanvillai, South Tamil Nadu

One third of world´s population depends on ground water for their livelihood, particularly for drinking. Contamination of drinking water by heavy metal ions could lead to dangerous physiological disorders. The concentration of some inorganic components present in the drinking water in Tisayanvillai, a small town in South Tamil Nadu, India, have been investigated. While the quantities of calcium, magnesium, phosphate and sulphate present are well below the permissible standards, the amount of iron, lead and zinc present are alarmingly high and can cause adverse effects on health. The survey of diseases in the town also confirms this.