Background: Radiological pollution is a potentially important aspect of water quality. However, relatively few studies have been conducted to document its possible health effects.Objective: In this commentary we discuss available epidemiological findings and related data from experimental studies concerning the health effects of naturally radioactive water ingestion.Discussion: Despite modest epidemiological evidence of uranium nephrotoxicity and radium effects on bone, available data are not sufficient to quantify the health effects of naturally occurring radionuclides in water. Methodological limitations (exposure measurement methods, control for confounding, sample size) affect most studies. Power calculations should be conducted before launching new epidemiological studies focusing on late pathological outcomes. Studies based on biomarkers of exposure and adverse effects may be helpful but should involve more specific molecules than biomarkers used in previous studies. Experimental data on ingestion of drinking water are limited to uranium studies, and there is some disagreement between these studies about the nephrotoxicity threshold.Conclusion: Further experimental and enhanced epidemiological studies should help to reduce uncertainties resulting from dose estimation to dose–response characterization.
Abstract. Over the last 5 years France gained a feedback on its NORM industries situation. Regulation imposes to the operators to assess effective doses for workers and members of the public. Theses data were used to update the list of industrial sectors to be regulated for NORM use or storage.
Abstract. The French Decree of 25 May 2005 [4] relative to activities using naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) not used because of their radioactive properties imposes that the operators assess effective doses received by workers and populations. To date, about sixty studies have been submitted to the French public authorities. Within this context, the French public authorities asked IRSN to develop a tool for evaluating the quality and the comprehensiveness of these studies and for identifying industrial plants with radiological protection problems. This tool is aimed at helping the regional representatives of French public authorities in their duty to analyse these studies. The aim of this presentation is to illustrate the application of the tool developed by IRSN and to present the French feedback.
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