URANIUM IN DRINKING WATER – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

URANIUM IN DRINKING WATER – SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

News: 60 µg/l uranium in drinking water safe

What’s in the News?

Background and Standards:

  • Historical Standards:
    • The acceptable level of uranium concentration in drinking water in India was 60 µg/l, set by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB).
    • In 2021, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) updated the limit to 30 µg/l, aligning with WHO recommendations.
  • Current Study Findings:
    • A new Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) study suggests that a concentration of uranium up to 60 µg/l in drinking water is safe.
    • Compliance with the new BIS standard of 30 µg/l might be counterproductive and costly without health benefits.

Health Impact and Scientific Evidence:

  • Health Risks:
    • High concentrations of uranium are linked to kidney diseases and cancer.
    • The BARC study argues that small concentrations pose no significant threat.
    • WHO's findings indicate no evidence linking natural uranium levels in drinking water to cancer.
  • Evidence and Comparisons:
    • The study cites international examples:
      • Finland and Slovakia have limits of 100 and 350 µg/l, respectively.
      • South Africa has a limit of 70 µg/l.
      • Canada and Australia have stricter limits of 20 and 15 µg/l, respectively.

Methodology and Analysis:

  • BARC Research:
    • Conducted by five scientists from BARC’s Health Safety and Environment Group.
    • Published in the international journal ‘Environmental Science and Pollution Research’.
  • Global and Local Standards:
    • Countries set their own limits based on local factors such as economic conditions, geological characteristics, and population sensitivity.
    • The US EPA conducted a cost-benefit analysis before setting the 30 µg/l limit.

National Concerns and Recommendations:

  • National Implications:
    • No direct link between uranium mining activities and uranium concentration in drinking water in India.
    • Natural occurrence confirmed by investigations.
  • Research and Mapping:
    • A comprehensive exercise to map uranium content in drinking water sources across India showed:
      • 94% of samples had uranium below 30 µg/l.
      • 98% were below 60 µg/l.
  • Recommendations:
    • The BARC study suggests retaining the AERB limit of 60 µg/l.
    • Emphasizes the need for health-based and epidemiological studies before enforcing stricter standards.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bis-standards-on-uranium-contamination-in-drinking-water-too-stringent-finds-barc-study-9463948/#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20by%20scientists,recently%20formulated%20%E2%80%9Cmore%20stringent%E2%80%9D%20national