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WHATIS URANIUMAND WHERE DOESIT COME FROM?

Uranium is a radioactive heavy metal that occurs naturally in the earth in the form ofminerals, and can be processed into a silver-colored metal. It is found in small amountsin rocks, soil, surface and ground water, air, plants and animals everywhere. Peoplemay be exposed to more uranium if they live in an area with naturally higher amountsof uranium in the rocks, soil or water, or in areas near a uranium-contaminated site.People may also be exposed in certain jobs, such as those involving the mining andprocessing of uranium ore.

U N D E R S T A N D I N G E X P O S U R E A N D H E A L T H E F F E C T S

U R A N I U M A N D H U M A N H E A L T H

NEW MEXICO

HEALTHDEPARTMENT OF

Health Department: 888 878-8992

Environment Department: 877-654-8720

The map highlights themajor uranium depositsin New Mexico. Naturaluranium mineraldeposits areconcentrated innortheastern Santa FeCounty, the Grants-Gallup area, and in

others areas in the state.These mineral depositscan leach uranium intoground water. Highlevels of uranium havebeen detected in some,but not all, wells in theseareas. In northeasternSanta Fe County, 50percent of more than200 wells tested

contained uranium atlevels exceeding thesafe drinking waterstandard for uranium which is 30 micrograms per liter (g/L). Uranium levels greaterthan 1,000 ug/L have been detected in wells in this area. The Environmental ProtectionAgency (EPA) sets the safe drinking water standard, also called the MaximumContaminant Level (MCL), for public water systems. Private wells are not regulated inNew Mexico; however, the same drinking water standard for public water systems isused as the reference for drinking water quality of private wells.

WHERE DO HIGH LEVELSOF URANIUM OCCURIN SOILAND GROUND WATERIN

NEW MEXICO?

This image demonstrates distribution of uranium deposits in NorthwestNew Mexico. Source: New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources

March 2011

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HOW MUCH URANIUMISIN MY DRINKING WATER?

If your households water comes from a public water system, your

water supply has already been tested for uranium. The New MexicoEnvironment Department is working with public water systems thathave levels of uranium above the MCL to identify appropriatetreatment solutions. You can find test results for public water systemsat http://safewater.state.nm.us. Or you may contact the NMEnvironment Department Drinking Water Bureau at 1-877-654-8720(toll-free).

Private well users who live in northeastern Santa Fe County (Arroyo Seco,Cuyamungue, El Rancho, J acona, J aconita, La Mesilla, La Puebla, Nambe, Pojoaque,Quartales, San Ildefonso, San Pedro, Santa Cruz, and Sombrillo) are strongly advised

to get their water tested for uranium. Testing also is suggested for private well users inthe Dona Ana County, Grants-Gallup and Tucumcari-San J on areas. In New Mexico,private well testing is not required by any state statue or regulation, and is thereforethe responsibility of the well owner.

WHAT SHOULD I DOIF MY DRINKING WATER CONTAINS URANIUM?

If test results show that your drinking water contains morethan 30 g/L of uranium, an appropriate water-treatmentsystem or use of an alternative source of drinking water isrecommended. Boiling your water will increase, not

decrease, the uranium concentration; special methods areneeded to reduce uranium levels in water. Point-of-use (at thekitchen sink) reverse-osmosis (RO) treatment units have beeninstalled by some affected well users to reduce the level ofuranium in their drinking water. Properly operated householdRO units can remove up to about 90 percent of the uraniumfrom the raw water. Other treatment methods, such asdistillation and anion exchange, also can reduce uraniumconcentrations.

DOES URANIUMIN SOIL POSEA HAZARD?

Naturally high levels of uranium occur in rocks and soil in some areas in New Mexico.Uranium occurs naturally in rocks such as granite and volcanic ash beds. Weatheringof these rocks can cause the uranium to migrate into sandstone or into soil. Naturallevels can be further increased in areas where uranium ore was mined or milled. Toreduce human exposure to uranium and erosion of uranium-contaminated soilmaterials, New Mexico State agencies are working to remediate soil materialscontaining unsafe levels of uranium in areas of past mining and milling.

U R A N I U M A N D H U M A N H E A L T H

F R E Q U E N T L Y A S K E D Q U E S T I O N S

Point of use reverseosmosis systemssuch as the onepictured above canbe a solution toreducing uraniumlevels in water.

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For health related questions call theNew Mexico Department o f Health:

888 878-8992Visit: www.health.org/ehebhttps://nmtracking.unm.edu

For water related questions call theNew Mexico Environment Department:

877-654-8720Visit: www.nmenv.state.nm.us

HOW CAN URANIUM AFFECTMY HEALTH?

Uranium ingested in drinking water and food is stored primarily in thebones, liver, and kidneys. Some studies have shown small changes inthe way kidneys work when people drink water with large amounts of

uranium. These changes seem to go away when people stop drinkingthis water. What this means medically is unclear.

Another potential health concern is the presence of high levels ofindoor radon in areas where naturally high levels of uranium occur.Radon is a radioactive, colorless, tasteless and odorless gas that occursnaturally in our environment. It is a short-lived radioactive decay product of radiumwhich in turn is a radioactive decay product of uranium. You can find more informationon indoor radon at http://www.nmenv.state.nm.us/nmrcb/radon.html.

WHAT MEDICAL TESTSARE AVAILABLETO DETERMINE URANIUM EXPOSURE?

There are medical tests that can determine whether you have been exposed toexcessive amounts of uranium. Urine testing for uranium is the recommendedstandard test. Because most uranium leaves the body in urine within a few days ofexposure, a urine test will show whether there was exposure to a larger-than-normalamount within the last week or so. Elevated urine-uranium levels will indicate uraniumexposure but do not necessarily indicate health problems.

WHAT SHOULD I DOIF I THINKTHAT IVE BEEN EXPOSEDTO URANIUM?

We recommend that you see your medical provider and discuss your

concerns. He or she will advise you on the best course of action.

Uranium in urine at a level greater than 0.08 g/Lis a *notifiable conditionin New Mexico and as such should be reported to the New MexicoDepartment of Health Environmental Health Epidemiology Bureau. Toreport suspected health problems from uranium and for health-relatedquestions, call the New Mexico Department of Health Environmental

Health Epidemiology Bureau at 1-888-878-8992 (toll-free). For more information, visitour website at http://www.nmhealth.org/eheb/.

*A notifiable condition or disease means a disease or condition of public health importance required by

7.4.3.12 New Mexico Administrative Code to be reported to the New Mexico Department of Health.

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