Uranium in groundwater from Western Haryana, India

This study was undertaken to assess uranium in groundwater and radiological and chemical risks associated with its ingestion in rural habitats in the vicinity of proposed nuclear power project in Western Haryana, India. Uranium concentration in the groundwater of the study area varied from 0.3 to 256.4 mu g L-1. Radiological risk calculated in the form of average life time dose was found 5.1 x 10(-2) mSv to the residents of the area from the ingestion of groundwater. The average cancer mortality and average cancer morbidity risk were calculated to be 4.9 x 10(-6) and 7.7 x 10(-6) respectively indicating the absence of carcinogenic risks. Chemical risk was in the range of 0.02-18.8 mu g kg(-1) day(-1). Hazard quotient for 72 % samples was greater than unity which indicates health risk due to chemical toxicity of uranium in groundwater. The results indicate that uranium concentrations in the groundwater of the study area are important due to chemical risk than radiological risk.