Excerpts:

Nagpur: In almost all the districts of the state, nitrate pollution has become a major threat to groundwater. It is believed to cause blue baby syndrome.
The monitored data by Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) shows that the concentration of nitrate is well above the permissible limit all over the state. As per the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the permissible limit for nitrate is 45 mg/litres.

… Apart from nitrate, high concentration of fluoride in some parts of the state is another cause of worry. While its permissible limit is 1 mg/litres, it is “present up to 2.42 mg/l in certain parts”.

The report shows that at a monitored site in Salori in Chandrapur, the concentration of fluoride was 2.29 mg/l. At a site in Allapalli in Gadchiroli, it was 2.08 mg/l while in Ramdespeth, Nagpur, it was 2.19 mg/l. “At three wells in Yavatmal, the concentration of fluoride has been found very high and locals have been directed not to use that water,” said Sharma.

Though fluoride presence in groundwater is mainly due to presence of specific minerals in the geological formation, studies revealed that anthropogenic activities like using fertilizers and pesticides containing phosphates, discharge of untreated industrial effluents and unabated over-exploitation of groundwater are also responsible for high fluoride levels which can lead to fluoride poisoning and skeleton and dental fluorosis.

Fluoride Facts

CGWB’s 2016-17 report shows presence of fluoride in state. The permissible limit of fluoride (as per Bureau of Indian Standards): Accptable limit – 1 mg/l; Max permissible limit – 1.5 mg/l

Chandrapur |Well above maximum permissible limit in 13 monitored sites. Highest value was 2.29 mg/l recorded in Salori

Dhule | Recorded 1.60 and 1.01 mg/l at two sites

Gadchiroli | At sites in Allapalli and Chaudampalli, was 2.08 and 1.20 mg/l, respectively

Gondia | At two sites, was 1.04 and 1.01 mg/l

Hingoli | Was 1.10 mg/l at one site

Nagpur | At 4 sites, was more than limit. At Koradi & Lonara, it was 1.17 and 101 mg/l

Ratnagiri| Was 1.09 mg/l at a site

Sindhudurg | Was 1.10 mg/l at a site

*Original article titled Nitrate pollution a big cause of worry online at https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/nitrate-pollution-a-big-cause-of-worry/articleshow/63404744.cms