about 12 villages around the Unnao district of Uttar Pradesh have been affected by fluoride contamination in the water. Consumption of the contaminated water has resulted in bone deformities among villagers; at least one member of every family in these villages is afflicted.

A water survey conducted by the Uttar Pradesh unit of the Indian Red Cross Society found that fluoride content in the region's water is eight per cent, when the permissible limit is only two per cent. According to a scientist working with the Indian Toxicology Research Centre ( itrc ), Lucknow, regular consumption of fluoride contaminated water can affect both nerves and bones. "Gradually it makes movement of limbs extremely difficult,' he says. According to an itrc report, prolonged exposure to fluoride contaminated water also causes a variety of other diseases.

"Besides being a major health hazard, the contaminated water is also destroying crops and affecting animals,' says Ashok Agrawal, head of the soil conservation department at the Chandrasekhar Azad Agricultural University, Faizabad. Admitting that there has been a decline in agricultural production in these villages, agriculture secretary of the state Keshav Desiraju said: "At this stage it is difficult to ascertain whether the high fluoride content is responsible for this situation.'

Several petitions have been made by those afflicted, urging the government for help. But their pleas have fallen on deaf ears. When the matter was reported to the Union government, it asked the Uttar Pradesh government to take immediate steps. However, officials from the state government have downplayed the magnitude of the crisis. They say the problem cannot be solved unless the factories