Hyderabad, June 27 -- In the process of reviving Sunnam Cheruvu, HYDRAA collected samples and conducted tests on borewell water near the pond. However, high levels of toxic heavy metals were found in the samples taken from tankers supplied as drinking water.

The Pollution Control Board (PCB) found traces of lead, cadmium, and nickel exceeding the permissible limits. Studies by the PCB revealed lead to be 7-12 times the international standards.

Threats posed by excessive amounts of lead include neurodevelopmental effects in children, anaemia, kidney damage, cardiovascular effects and fertility issues.

Cadmium, which affects the kidneys and is also classified as carcinogenic by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, was also fo...