What problems can one associate with the presence of Iron and Heavy Metals in water?
Excess iron is also an inherent water quality problem in ground water and is prevalent mostly in hilly regions and in the North Eastern part of our country. Excess iron in drinking water beyond the permissible limit of 0.3 ppm causes digestive disorders. A total of 138,670 habitations spread across 16 states in the country are found to be affected with iron contamination. CGWA report warns, “Ground water in most of Delhi contains harmful heavy metals such as lead, chromium and cadmium”. Heavy metals do not dissolve in blood; instead they get deposited in the bones, teeth and soft tissues including those of brain. Over 100 micrograms of lead in the blood can irreversibly damage a child’s growth. It can also decrease his/her IQ. In adults, it causes miscarriages and irritability. Children are more susceptible to lead poisoning. AIIMS results show unacceptably high lead levels in the blood samples, over 20 units in 41% of the children surveyed and over 10 units in the rest.
