Effluents from KMML (Kerala Metals and Minerals Ltd), a public sector unit based at Chavara in Kollam, are polluting water sources, degrading the environment, and posing a public health hazard, a study conducted by the Department of Geology, University of Kerala, has revealed. The study found that the plant manufacturing titanium dioxide was responsible for the deterioration in the quality of groundwater sources. Highly toxic trace elements were detected in water samples. The study team led by Assistant Professor E. Shaji found that the pollution had badly affected the flora and fauna in and around the factory area. Crops were found destroyed by concentrated hydrochloric acid and other pollutants present in the environment. The study reported that the water quality of the underground aquifers had dropped to an alarming level due to high acidity. KMML, one of the few profit-making public sector units in Kerala, uses the chloride route technology to recover titanium dioxide from ilmenite ore, which is abundant along the Kerala coast. The factory claims that it has an elaborate pollution control system to treat the effluents before they are released into the water and air. The study was taken up to verify the charge that the wastes were being disposed of without proper treatment and to identify the extent of environmental degradation. The team established 55 monitoring-cum-sampling locations in the study area and carried out hydro-geological investigations. The factory, according to the study, has seven tube wells with depth ranging from 100 m to 200 m. The average groundwater withdrawal through these tube wells was 10 lakh litre a day. Pointing out that groundwater extraction had reached alarming levels, the report warned that it could invite sea water intrusion into the aquifers. The waste water discharged by the company was found accumulating in the environment and polluting natural water bodies before reaching the sea. The area to the north of the factory was filled with pools of brownish yellow, pungent smelling water, highly acidic and reactive. The colour change was noticed in the wells and ponds also. Chemical analysis of surface and ground water samples collected from the study area identified trace elements of chromium, copper, lead, cobalt, cadmium, nickel, zinc, iron, and manganese. The report said the paddy fields in the area had become effluent ponds. Fish and other species had deserted the area and coconut trees were barren. Various skin diseases were noticed in adults and children residing in the region. A zonation map prepared by the study team revealed that the water in and around the factory was of very poor quality. The pollution, initially confined to the neighbourhood of the factory, was slowly spreading towards the surrounding areas through the alluvial aquifers. Migration of the toxic elements could impact on the quality of water in the aquifers and endanger public health, it warned. Dr. Shaji said remedial measures were called for to restore the water quality of the area. The company, he said, had to ensure that the acidic effluents were neutralised before discharge. The report challenged the company's claim that the impact of its effluents was limited to less than 100 meters of the discharge point, after which the acidity was neutralised by the sea. It said geospatial analyses carried out as part of the study had revealed that about 15 sq.km. area was badly affected and that the pollution was slowly spreading in all directions.