Amritsar: Probing the chronic skin and eye diseases and gastro-intestinal problems of the residents of a village near Amritsar, researchers from the Department of Human Genetics of Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU) have found that the reason behind the problem is the toxic water which comes from the industrial waste of the city.

Researchers carried out a comprehensive study to detect various genetic disorders among the residents of Mahal village.

The study found that hazardous metals like mercury, copper, cadmium, chromium and lead coming from industrial and municipal waste have leaked into the groundwater, thereby polluting the drain adjoining the village.

The samples from the drain water as well as the underground water of the area were analyzed which proved the presence of heavy metals and bacteria.

Two research scholars of the varsity, G Gandhi and Warinder Kaur, who carried out the research, claimed that most of the genetic disorders detected among the villagers were due to pollution of water.

The study also gave scientific reasons behind the disorder - heavy metals that come with the underground water have the tendency to get accumulated in human body and may result in mutagenic, carcinogenic and teratogenic effects.

Earlier, the Punjab Health Department had also traced genetic disorders among the village women who were often admitted to the village dispensary on condition of anonymity.

The frequency of miscarriages among women is extremely high in the village due to toxic water.