Assessment of age-dependent radiation dose and toxicity risk due to intake of uranium through the ingestion of groundwater from Northern Rajasthan, India. Issue 3 (16th March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Duggal, Vikas; Rani, Asha; Mehra, Rohit; Saini, Komal; Bajwa, B.S.
• Is Part Of: Toxicological and environmental chemistry. Volume 99:Issue 3(2017)
• Page Start: 516
• Page End: 524
• Publication Date: 2017-03-16
• Subjects: Uranium -- drinking water -- age-dependent dose -- radiological risk -- chemical risk; Toxicology -- Periodicals; Environmental chemistry -- Periodicals; 571.95
• DOI: 10.1080/02772248.2016.1196210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0277-2248

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Uranium traces were measured by laser fluorimeter in groundwater samples collected from four districts of Rajasthan state in India. The average values of uranium concentration in groundwater in Sri Ganganagar, Hanumangarh, Churu, and Sikar districts were determined to be: 57, 50, 40, and 21 µg L −1, respectively. These recorded values were compared with the maximum contamination levels recommended for drinking water by various health and environmental protection agencies. The associated age-dependent radiation dose is estimated by taking the prescribed water intake values of different age groups. The average cancer mortality and morbidity risks are calculated to be 5.6 × 10 −5 and 8.8 × 10 −5 respectively, indicate that the probability of carcinogenic risks is negligible. About half (49%) of the analyzed samples showed hazard quotient > 1.0, indicating significant risk due to chemical toxicity of uranium.