Abstract The present research work deals with the assessment of pollution due to toxic heavy metals in the industrial waste water effluents collected from Taloja industrial belt of Mumbai. The study reveals that dyes, paints, pharmaceutical and textile industries are some of the major industries contributing to the heavy metal pollutants in the surrounding aquatic environment. It was observed that paint manufacturing industries are the major contributors of toxic Cr, Zn and Pb amounting to 35.2, 33.1, and 31.4 mg/L respectively. It was also observed that major contribution of Cu (33.3 mg/L) was from dyes manufacturing units, while maximum Fe concentration of 12.8 mg/L was found in effluent samples released from textile industries. The concentration of Cd and Ni was found maximum in effluent samples collected from pharmaceutical industries amounting to 35.8 and 33.6 mg/L respectively. The overall results point out high concentration of toxic heavy metals in the effluent samples collected from different industries. These industrial effluents will pollute the near by water bodies affecting the growth of vegetation and aquatic life. These toxic heavy metals when released in aquatic environment will enter the food chain through bio-magnification causing various health problems in humans. The results of the present investigation point out the need to implement common objectives, compatible policies and programmes for improvement in the industrial waste water treatment methods
