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Combined Uranium (mg/L) in Oregon

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Uranium is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed uranium ore is used for power generation and weapons manufacture. [read more]

Uranium Uranium is a radioactive heavy metal used in nuclear power plants and nuclear weapons. Uranium is a known human carcinogen. It has been observed to cause lung cancer in miners, and bone cancer and leukemia in workers and animals exposed to the substance (Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB) 2003h). In addition to nuclear applications, uranium is also used to make helicopters, airplanes, army tanks, bullets and missiles. Small amounts are used to make pottery glazes and photographic chemicals. Since uranium is often found in naturally occurring phosphorus, phosphorus fertilizers and pesticides often have uranium impurities in them (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) 1999c). A drinking water contaminant fact sheet written by EPA notes that exposure to uranium in drinking water above the maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 30 parts per billion (ppb) may damage the kidney and cause cancer (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) 2009b). Renal (kidney) problems are a hallmark of uranium toxicity; these effects develop early on following uranium exposure (Thun 1985).

The Most Polluted Communities in Oregon

36 water utilities reported detecting Combined Uranium (mg/L) in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies

Ranked by highest average Combined Uranium (mg/L) level

Rank	System	Population Served	Positive test results of total reported tests	Average Level (Range)
1	River Village Mhp Ontario, OR	28	11 of 11	28.4 ppb (0.03 to 56.5 ppb)
2	City of Irrigon Irrigon, OR	1,740	5 of 6	12.67 ppb (0 to 21 ppb)
3	Whispering Pines MH Village Tucson, OR	120	1 of 1	12 ppb (12 ppb)
4	City of Nyssa Nyssa, OR	3,170	1 of 1	6.3 ppb (6.3 ppb)
5	City of Vale Vale, OR	1,997	1 of 1	4.05 ppb (4.05 ppb)
6	City of Spray Spray, OR	150	2 of 2	4.02 ppb (4.02 ppb)
7	Arlington City Water Supply Arlington, OR	550	1 of 1	3 ppb (3 ppb)
8	Avion WC - South Redmond Heights Bend, OR	175	2 of 2	2 ppb (2 ppb)
9	Hat Rock Water Company Hermiston, OR	80	1 of 1	2 ppb (2 ppb)
10	Smith Rock Mobile Estates Redmond, OR	60	1 of 1	2 ppb (2 ppb)

Health Based Limits for Combined Uranium (mg/L)

Standard	Description	Level
Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG)	A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	0 ppb
California Public Health Goals	Defined by the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. For acutely toxic substances, levels are set at which scientific evidence indicates that no known or anticipated adverse effects on health will occur, plus an adequate margin-of safety. PHGs for carcinogens or other substances which can cause chronic disease shall be based solely on health effects without regard to cost impacts and shall be set at levels which OEHHA has determined do not pose any significant risk to health.	0.5 ppb
Drinking Water Equivalent Level	A lifetime exposure concentration protective of adverse, noncarcinogenic health effects, that assumes all of the exposure to a contaminant is from drinking water. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	20 ppb
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL)	The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.	30 ppb

Violation Summary for Combined Uranium (mg/L) in Oregon

Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards in Oregon since 2004

Violation Type	Number of Violations
Over maximum contaminant level, Average	1