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Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant. Uranium-238 is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed ore used for power generation and weapons manufature.. Potential health impacts associated with Uranium-238 include cancer, kidney toxicity, neurotoxicity, reproductive toxicity, and respiratory toxicity. [read more] Sources of Uranium-238:  | Industry |  | Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) |
An Environmental Working Group analysis of Uranium-238 tests reported by 226 public water suppliers in 5 states shows that between 1998 and 2003, 11 thousand people in 9 communities drank water contaminated with Uranium-238. Exposure Summary 10,767 | People drinking water contaminated with Uranium-238 | 9 | Communities served water contaminated with Uranium-238 |
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Table. Uranium-238 Exposure by State11 thousand Americans in 4 states were served tap water contaminated with Uranium-238 between 1998 and 2003. Table. The most polluted communities11,000 Americans in 9 communities were served tap water contaminated with Uranium-238 between 1998 and 2003 Ranked by highest average Uranium-238 level | Rank | System
| Population Served
| Positive test results of total reported tests
| Average Level
(Range) |
|---|
| 1 | Fort Bend County Municipal Utilities Dis
Missouri City, TX | 3,780 | 1 of 1 | 0.6 pCi/L
(0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L) | | 2 | Windfern Forest Utility District
Houston, TX | 4,713 | 1 of 1 | 0.6 pCi/L
(0.6 to 0.6 pCi/L) | | 3 | Waccabuc Farms Inc.
Goldens Bridge, NY | 44 | 1 of 1 | 0.59 pCi/L
(0.59 to 0.59 pCi/L) | | 4 | Lajitas On The Rio Grande
Terlingua, TX | 500 | 2 of 2 | 0.55 pCi/L
(0.5 to 0.6 pCi/L) | | 5 | St. Mary's Rehab For Children
Ossining, NY | 130 | 1 of 1 | 0.52 pCi/L
(0.52 to 0.52 pCi/L) | | 6 | Shorehaven Civic Association
Holmes, NY | 300 | 2 of 3 | 0.32 pCi/L
(0.23 to 0.42 pCi/L) | | 7 | Hyde Park Terrace Apartments
Poughkeepsie, NY | 70 | 2 of 2 | 0.29 pCi/L
(0.16 to 0.42 pCi/L) | | 8 | Canoncito At Apache Canyon
Santa Fe, NM | 230 | 1 of 3 | 0.17 pCi/L
(0 to 0.52 pCi/L) | | 9 | Waldoboro Water Department
Rockport, ME | 1,000 | 1 of 8 | 0.05 pCi/L
(0.05 to 0.05 pCi/L) |
Health based limits for Uranium-238
| 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-238 Water suppliers report an average of 0.2 Uranium-238 tests per year. 39,525 water suppliers failed to report
any Uranium-238 tests at all. | Are tests routinely required for Uranium-238 by federal law? | Yes | | Water suppliers reporting tests for Uranium-238 (1998-2003): | 226 of 39,751 | | Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (1998-2003): | 0.2 per year |
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Uranium-238 Violations Table. < 0.1 percent of all water suppliers violated safe drinking water standards for Uranium-238 between 1998 and 2003 | Violation Type | Violations | Systems |
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