uranium in drinking water

[DWhitfil@kdhe.state.ks.us]

People who use private wells do have a problem in that they do not fall
under the umbrella of the EPA drinking water regulations. Unless the well
water has been tested for other contaminants as well (VOCs, heavy metals,
pesticides, nitrites/nitrates, fecal coliform, etc.), I would be hesitant
to jump on the uranium as a culprit. Usually the State agencies will do a
general battery of water tests on private wells if asked.

Some links of interest...

Risks are discussed in detail here in the Federal Register, including
uranium and proposed MCL's (April 21, 2000 Proposed Rule 40 CFR Parts 141
and 142):

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/rads/frnoda.pdf

Others:

http://www.epa.gov/safewater/rads/draft_imp_guide.pdf

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/methods/eparads.html

-Of interest is footnote: If uranium (U) is determined by mass, a 0.67
pCi/ug of uranium conversion factor must be used. This conservative factor
is based on the 1:1 activity ratio of U-234 to U-238 that is characteristic
of naturally occurring uranium.

800 pCi/L = 1194 ug/L , u = micro

and if you use the proposed MCL of 20 ug/L (based kidney toxicity) and
equate to 30 pCi/L, then 800 pCi/L = 533 ug/L

http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/rads/tsd.pdf

DJWhitfill

Opinions expressed are mine and do not reflect official policies or
positions of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.



                                                                                                
                    TMARKS5333@aol.com                                                          
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                                              Subject:     uranium in drinking water            
                                                                                                
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I am trying to find out if anyone might have an idea of the health
consequences when one consumes high levels (800pCi/liter or around 700
micrograms)of Uranium for 5 years from their well water. The family has
been
told that it is not absorbed through the skin in its soluble state, but
there
seems to be at least a couple of people who do not agree with that
statement.
I have also found a couple of studies that tell it differently.

Hair levels of U have been retrieved and range from 3400 times the high
normal in their 2 1/2 year old daughter to 1500 times the norm in the
mother
and next youngest child. The next two children are around 600 times the
norm.
The eldest child and father are yet to be tested.

The mother presented at age 33 with low bone mass with no past nutritional
history to indicate such, and progressively decaying teeth. The two younger
children have very poor dental, with good hygiene habits. The youngest
again
has no mass to her teeth -- the dentist refers to it as comparable to
drilling chalk.

The radium levels were also tested and are above the federal limits
(12pCi/l
of R226 and 3.5pCi/l of R228). The radon levels in their home were 3.7 but
in
their water is 9228.

Any help would be appreciated.

Tammy Marks



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