Answer to Question #4729 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Alpha Emitters — Uranium

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I need to know if there is an abundance of uranium in your water system, can it make you sick? Could it produce a kidney infection or upper-respiratory infection? The only thing I drink is water.

The amount of uranium in water supplies is variable, with most water supplies containing concentrations of uranium well below the limits put forth by such bodies as the Environmental Protection Agency. Water supplies from an untreated well or surface waters in an area with a high uranium content in the soil will contain higher uranium concentrations than those from other sources. Not to worry, however, for the amount of uranium in even these waters is far below the levels that might make you sick. Kidney infections and upper-respiratory infections (URI) are caused by microbes and not related to uranium. So drink all the water you like, and be free from worry about the uranium in it.

Ron Kathren, CHP
Professor Emeritus
Washington State University at Tri-Cities

Answer posted on August 30, 2005. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.