Ammonia levels in the river Yamuna, almost six times above the acceptable limit

The acceptable maximum limit of ammonia in drinking water, as per the Bureau of Indian Standards, is 0.5 ppm. In Yamuna it has reached, nearly 3 parts per million (ppm).

• The acceptable maximum limit of ammonia in drinking water, as per the Bureau of Indian Standards, is 0.5 ppm. In Yamuna it has reached, nearly 3 parts per million (ppm).
• Ammonia is a colorless gas and is used as an industrial chemical in the production of fertilizers, plastics, synthetic fibres, dyes and other products.
• It consists of hydrogen and nitrogen.
• In its aqueous form, it is called ammonium hydroxide.
• This inorganic compound has a pungent smell.
• Ammonia occurs naturally in the environment from the breakdown of organic waste matter.
• It is lighter than air Contamination: It may find its way to ground and surface water sources through industrial effluents or through contamination by sewage.
• If the concentration of ammonia in water is above 1 ppm it is toxic to fishes.
• In humans, long term ingestion of water with high levels of ammonia may cause damage to internal organs.
• Source: The most likely source is believed to be effluents from dye units, distilleries and other factories in Panipat and Sonepat districts in Haryana, and also sewage from some un-sewered colonies in this stretch of the river.
• Delhi dependent on Haryana for up to 70 per cent of its water needs. Haryana, with a large number of people involved in agriculture, has water paucity issues of its own.