---

Air quality study during the survey revealed that the ambient air was contaminated by fluorides. Constant emission of gases by the industry had led to a large scale deposition of fluoride particles on the fodder and leaves of crops. The fluoride concentration in fodder and plant samples varied from season to season and with respect to distance and direction from the fluoride source. NE area was more contaminated than the other areas like SE, SW and NW. Dental survey of children (age 6 to 13.5 years) revealed that near the factory, in villages like Bhestan and Dindoli dental lesions were more common than in those for away from the industry. Estimation of human urine samples of the area, indicates higher level of fluoride than the average value with a highest value of 12 ppm. All cattles are more or less affected all the villages surveyed. High level of fluoride was noted in urine and bone of cattles residing in the immediate surroundings of the factory. The survey indicates that the concentration of pollutant is higher than emission standards or standards for occupational health.

---

Dr. Rajendra T. Vashi is a Associate Professor is Department of Chemistry, Navyug Science College, Surat. He has published over hundred research papers in the subject of Pollution, Corrosion and Metal Complexes. He has guided 14 Ph.D. students and 4 M.Phil. students. He was a co-convener in ICER-11 (International Conference) at Surat, India.

---