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

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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.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to Dr. K. S. Pradeep Kumar, Associate Director, Health, Safety & Environment Group, BARC, for his keen interest and constant encouragement. The authors express their sincere thanks to UCIL authorities for their interest and inspiration in the work and for extending the infrastructural facilities and support to carry out the work. Cooperation received from other colleagues is fully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Health Physics Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India

    B. K. Rana, M. R. Dhumale, P. Lenka, S. K. Sahoo, P. M. Ravi & R. M. Tripathi

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  1. B. K. Rana
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  2. M. R. Dhumale
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  3. P. Lenka
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  4. S. K. Sahoo
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  5. P. M. Ravi
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  6. R. M. Tripathi
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Correspondence to B. K. Rana.

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Rana, B.K., Dhumale, M.R., Lenka, P. et al. A study of natural uranium content in groundwater around Tummalapalle uranium mining and processing facility, India. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 307, 1499–1506 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4350-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-015-4350-8

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