Eric Ansoborlo1, Laurence Lebaron-Jacobs2, Odette Prat3. 1. CEA/DEN/DRCP/CETAMA, Marcoule, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France. Electronic address: eric.ansoborlo@cea.fr. 2. CEA/DSV/PROSITON, Cadarache, F-13115 Saint Paul-lez-Durance, France. 3. CEA/DSV/IBEB/SBTN, Marcoule, F-30207 Bagnols-sur-Cèze, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Uranium represents a unique case for an element naturally present in the environment, as its chemical guideline value in drinking water significantly increased from 2 μg/L in 1998 up to 15 μg/L in 2004 and then to 30 μg/L in 2011, to date corresponding to a multiplication factor of 15 within a period of just 13 years. OBJECTIVES: In this commentary we summarize the evolution of uranium guideline values in drinking-water based on both radiological and chemical aspects, emphasizing the benefit of human studies and their contribution to recent recommendations. We also propose a simpler and better consistency between radiological and chemical values. DISCUSSION: The current chemical guideline value of 30 μg/L is still designated as provisional because of scientific uncertainties regarding uranium toxicity. During the same period, the radiological guideline for (238)U increased from 4 Bq/L to 10 Bq/L while that for (234)U decreased from 4 Bq/L to 1 Bq/L. These discrepancies are discussed here, and a value of 1 Bq/L for all uranium isotopes is proposed to be more consistent with the current chemical value of 30 μg/L. CONCLUSION: Continuous progress in the domains of toxicology and speciation should enable a better interpretation of the biological effects of uranium in correlation with epidemiological human studies. This will certainly aid future proposals for uranium guideline values.
BACKGROUND:Uranium represents a unique case for an element naturally present in the environment, as its chemical guideline value in drinking water significantly increased from 2 μg/L in 1998 up to 15 μg/L in 2004 and then to 30 μg/L in 2011, to date corresponding to a multiplication factor of 15 within a period of just 13 years. OBJECTIVES: In this commentary we summarize the evolution of uranium guideline values in drinking-water based on both radiological and chemical aspects, emphasizing the benefit of human studies and their contribution to recent recommendations. We also propose a simpler and better consistency between radiological and chemical values. DISCUSSION: The current chemical guideline value of 30 μg/L is still designated as provisional because of scientific uncertainties regarding uraniumtoxicity. During the same period, the radiological guideline for (238)U increased from 4 Bq/L to 10 Bq/L while that for (234)U decreased from 4 Bq/L to 1 Bq/L. These discrepancies are discussed here, and a value of 1 Bq/L for all uranium isotopes is proposed to be more consistent with the current chemical value of 30 μg/L. CONCLUSION: Continuous progress in the domains of toxicology and speciation should enable a better interpretation of the biological effects of uranium in correlation with epidemiological human studies. This will certainly aid future proposals for uranium guideline values.
Authors: Laura Corlin; Tommy Rock; Jamie Cordova; Mark Woodin; John L Durant; David M Gute; Jani Ingram; Doug Brugge Journal: Curr Environ Health Rep Date: 2016-12
Authors: Nicole Redvers; Ann Marie Chischilly; Donald Warne; Manuel Pino; Amber Lyon-Colbert Journal: Environ Health Perspect Date: 2021-03-26 Impact factor: 9.031