EWG INVESTIGATION

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EWG Statement, 03/10/2008

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NATIONAL SUMMARY

Quality Varies Across the U.S.

CONTAMINANTS DATABASE

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Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.

Uranium-235 is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed ore used for power generation and weapons manufature.. Potential health impacts associated with Uranium-235 include cancer. [read more]

Sources of Uranium-235:

	Industry
	Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development)

An Environmental Working Group analysis of Uranium-235 tests reported by 151 public water suppliers in 4 states shows that between 1999 and 2002, 4,443 people in 23 communities drank water contaminated with Uranium-235.

Exposure Summary

4,443 People drinking water contaminated with Uranium-235 23 Communities served water contaminated with Uranium-235

Table. Uranium-235 Exposure by State

4,443 Americans in 3 states were served tap water contaminated with Uranium-235 between 1999 and 2002.

State	Water suppliers with Uranium-235 contamination
	Systems	Population
Michigan	2	1,633
Texas	9	1,606
New York	12	1,204
Total	23	4,443

Table. The most polluted communities

4,443 Americans in 23 communities were served tap water contaminated with Uranium-235 between 1999 and 2002

Ranked by highest average Uranium-235 level

Rank	System	Population Served	Positive test results of total reported tests	Average Level (Range)
1	Homeland Subdivision Freeport, TX	153	1 of 1	0.6 pCi/L (0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L)
2	Welch Water Supply Commission Welch, TX	354	1 of 1	0.6 pCi/L (0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L)
3	Rra Howardwick Water System Wichita Falls, TX	400	1 of 1	0.6 pCi/L (0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L)
4	Big Q Mobile Home Estates Lubbock, TX	100	1 of 1	0.6 pCi/L (0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L)
5	Franklin Estates South Lubbock, TX	152	1 of 1	0.6 pCi/L (0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L)
6	Country Squire Mhp 1 Lubbock, TX	60	1 of 1	0.6 pCi/L (0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L)
7	Catalpa Villa Water Supply Corporation Amarillo, TX	150	1 of 1	0.6 pCi/L (0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L)
8	Country Squire Mhp 2 Lubbock, TX	75	1 of 1	0.5 pCi/L (0.5 to 0.5 pCi/L)
9	Spring Meadow Mobile Home Park Odessa, TX	162	1 of 1	0.5 pCi/L (0.5 to 0.5 pCi/L)
10	Woodhill Estates Millbrook, NY	128	3 of 3	0.43 pCi/L (0.23 to 0.58 pCi/L)

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Health based limits for Uranium-235

Health Limit	Limit Value	Limit Description
Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL)	0.03 pCi/L	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.

Testing Summary for Uranium-235

Water suppliers report an average of 0.3 Uranium-235 tests per year. 39,600 water suppliers failed to report any Uranium-235 tests at all.

Are tests routinely required for Uranium-235 by federal law? Yes Water suppliers reporting tests for Uranium-235 (1999-2002): 151 of 39,751 Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1999-2002): 0.3 per year

Uranium-235 Violations

Table. < 0.1 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for Uranium-235 between 1998 and 2003

Violation Type	Violations	Systems