Chemical contamination of ground waters at Chittoor and its adjoining hamlets in Kollam district is affecting both agriculture and inhabitants. According to the Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS), as the ground water has been subjected to constant pollution due to dumping of untreated-liquid chemicals mixed in water and industrial waste for over 15-long years, the level of toxicity in the ground water has risen.
Villagers are using toxic ground water for drinking and other purposes causing severe health damage. The most affected are those living within 300 meters to 600 meters of the industries that spews toxins.