Health-Related Analysis of Uranium in Fazilka District, Punjab, India

Abstract

Laser fluorimetry technique has been used to estimate uranium concentration in groundwater samples collected from 20 villages of Fazilka district, Punjab, India. The uranium concentration was found to vary from 4.32 to 83.99 μg l -1 at different locations with mean concentration of 26.51 μg l -1 . Also, 24% of the drinking water samples exceeded the safe limits set by WHO, while 9% was above the limit set by AERB. Certain health risk factors like annual effective dose, excess cancer risk and lifetime average daily dose were also evaluated. The study also included uranium estimation in soil samples collected from the same villages using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence technique. All the values were found to be well within the safe limits. Topography of the region seems to be the most likely reason for higher uranium concentration at some locations.

Distribution of naturally occurring uranium and other heavy toxic elements in selected spring water samples of Pithoragarh District, Uttarakhand, India

“…The higher value of uranium in the sample collected from a particular specific site of Dharchula could be due to the presence of igneous rocks in that region because studies have shown that the concentration of radionuclides like uranium in water depends upon its concentration in rocks and soil. Igneous rocks are usually those types of rocks that have a higher concentration of radionuclides like uranium in comparison to other kinds of rocks [7,21]. Thus, by analysis of different samples collected from different sites in the Tehsils and sub tehsils of Pithoragarh, it was found that the uranium concentration was found to be lower than the guideline values prescribed by both WHO and AERB (India).…”

“…Along with this, uranium emits alpha particles of high ionizing power, so it may be toxic if inhaled or ingested in excess amount. Eighty five percent of ingested uranium is contributed through drinking water and only 15% is contributed through food [7]. Uranium is a well-known nephrotoxic element and the principal sites of its deposition in the body are the kidney, liver, and bones.…”