A study of natural uranium content in groundwater around Tummalapalle uranium mining and processing facility, India

Abstract

Uranium (U) concentration and other associated risks have been studied in ground water around a newly established U mining and processing facility at Tummalapalle, India. The U concentration in groundwater samples was found to vary between 0.38 and 79.70 μg l−1. Data analysis revealed that more than 85 % of the samples had U concentration lower than the USEPA and current WHO recommended guideline value of 30 µg l−1. The annual effective dose, the lifetime excess cancer risk and chemical toxicity risk from drinking of this water have been found to be less and were within the prescribed limit.