Challenges in assessing uranium-related health risks: Two case studies for the aquatic exposure pathway from South Africa – Part I: Guideline and toxicity issues and the pofadder case study

Abstract

Comparing guidelines for U in drinking water from across the world reveals that recommended limits differ significantly. Furthermore, most current limits are based on nephrotoxic effects of U as found in animal experiments after short-term, high-dose U exposure and take not into account latest finding that U displays a much wider spectrum of toxic effects after long-term, low dose exposure. Epidemiological evidence from the Pofadder case study in South Africa suggests a link between elevated U levels in borehole water and increased incidences of leukemia in local residents.