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McMahon PB, Vengosh A, Davis TA, Landon MK, Tyne RL, Wright MT, Kulongoski JT, Hunt AG, Barry PH, Kondash AJ, Wang Z, Ballentine CJ. Occurrence and Sources of Radium in Groundwater Associated with Oil Fields in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, California. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2019; 53:9398-9406. [PMID: 31390186 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.9b02395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Geochemical data from 40 water wells were used to examine the occurrence and sources of radium (Ra) in groundwater associated with three oil fields in California (Fruitvale, Lost Hills, South Belridge). 226Ra+228Ra activities (range = 0.010-0.51 Bq/L) exceeded the 0.185 Bq/L drinking-water standard in 18% of the wells (not drinking-water wells). Radium activities were correlated with TDS concentrations (p < 0.001, ρ = 0.90, range = 145-15,900 mg/L), Mn + Fe concentrations (p < 0.001, ρ = 0.82, range = <0.005-18.5 mg/L), and pH (p < 0.001, ρ = -0.67, range = 6.2-9.2), indicating Ra in groundwater was influenced by salinity, redox, and pH. Ra-rich groundwater was mixed with up to 45% oil-field water at some locations, primarily infiltrating through unlined disposal ponds, based on Cl, Li, noble-gas, and other data. Yet 228Ra/226Ra ratios in pond-impacted groundwater (median = 3.1) differed from those in oil-field water (median = 0.51). PHREEQC mixing calculations and spatial geochemical variations suggest that the Ra in the oil-field water was removed by coprecipitation with secondary barite and adsorption on Mn-Fe precipitates in the near-pond environment. The saline, organic-rich oil-field water subsequently mobilized Ra from downgradient aquifer sediments via Ra-desorption and Mn/Fe-reduction processes. This study demonstrates that infiltration of oil-field water may leach Ra into groundwater by changing salinity and redox conditions in the subsurface rather than by mixing with a high-Ra source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter B McMahon
- U.S. Geological Survey , Lakewood , Colorado 80225 , United States
| | - Avner Vengosh
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment , Duke University , Durham , North Carolina 27708 , United States
| | - Tracy A Davis
- U.S. Geological Survey , San Diego , California 92101 , United States
| | - Matthew K Landon
- U.S. Geological Survey , San Diego , California 92101 , United States
| | - Rebecca L Tyne
- Department of Earth Sciences , University of Oxford , Oxford OX1 3AN , U.K
| | - Michael T Wright
- U.S. Geological Survey , San Diego , California 92101 , United States
| | | | - Andrew G Hunt
- U.S. Geological Survey , Lakewood , Colorado 80225 , United States
| | - Peter H Barry
- Department of Earth Sciences , University of Oxford , Oxford OX1 3AN , U.K
| | - Andrew J Kondash
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment , Duke University , Durham , North Carolina 27708 , United States
| | - Zhen Wang
- Division of Earth and Ocean Sciences, Nicholas School of the Environment , Duke University , Durham , North Carolina 27708 , United States
| | - Chris J Ballentine
- Department of Earth Sciences , University of Oxford , Oxford OX1 3AN , U.K
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Landsberger SG, George G. An evaluation of ²²⁶Ra and ²²⁸Ra in drinking water in several counties in Texas, USA. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RADIOACTIVITY 2013; 125:2-5. [PMID: 23490545 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvrad.2013.02.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2013] [Revised: 02/14/2013] [Accepted: 02/20/2013] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) or Technology Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM) can be a potential health risk. It is now well known that the underlying geology in many parts of Texas has given rise to levels of (226)Ra and (228)Ra that often exceed the limits set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. A detailed literature search was undertaken to assess the levels of (226)Ra and (228)Ra in all of the Texas counties. Several statistical evaluations of the data were performed. The Hickory aquifer in the Llano Uplift region of Texas has consistently had the highest number of (226)Ra and (228)Ra concentrations above the legal limit. As well many of the affected rural communities may not have the financial resources to rectify the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- S G Landsberger
- Enviroklean Product Development Inc. (EPDI), 9227 Thomasville Road, Houston, TX 77064, USA.
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Canu IG, Laurent O, Pires N, Laurier D, Dublineau I. Health effects of naturally radioactive water ingestion: the need for enhanced studies. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2011; 119:1676-80. [PMID: 21810556 PMCID: PMC3261972 DOI: 10.1289/ehp.1003224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2010] [Accepted: 08/02/2011] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Radiological pollution is a potentially important aspect of water quality. However, relatively few studies have been conducted to document its possible health effects. OBJECTIVE In this commentary we discuss available epidemiological findings and related data from experimental studies concerning the health effects of naturally radioactive water ingestion. DISCUSSION Despite modest epidemiological evidence of uranium nephrotoxicity and radium effects on bone, available data are not sufficient to quantify the health effects of naturally occurring radionuclides in water. Methodological limitations (exposure measurement methods, control for confounding, sample size) affect most studies. Power calculations should be conducted before launching new epidemiological studies focusing on late pathological outcomes. Studies based on biomarkers of exposure and adverse effects may be helpful but should involve more specific molecules than biomarkers used in previous studies. Experimental data on ingestion of drinking water are limited to uranium studies, and there is some disagreement between these studies about the nephrotoxicity threshold. CONCLUSION Further experimental and enhanced epidemiological studies should help to reduce uncertainties resulting from dose estimation to dose-response characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Guseva Canu
- Service de Radiobiologie et Epidémiologie, Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire, Fontenay-aux-Roses, France
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Abstract
Environmental carcinogens, in a strict sense, include outdoor and indoor air pollutants, as well as soil and drinking water contaminants. An increased risk of mesothelioma has consistently been detected among individuals experiencing residential exposure to asbestos, whereas results for lung cancer are less consistent. At least 14 good-quality studies have investigated lung cancer risk from outdoor air pollution based on measurement of specific agents. Their results tend to show an increased risk in the categories at highest exposure, with relative risks in the range 1.5-2.0, which is not attributable to confounders. Results for other cancers are sparse. A causal association has been established between exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and lung cancer, with a relative risk in the order of 1.2. Radon is another carcinogen present in indoor air which may be responsible for 1% of all lung cancers. In several Asian populations, an increased risk of lung cancer is present in women from indoor pollution from cooking and heating. There is strong evidence of an increased risk of bladder, skin and lung cancers following consumption of water with high arsenic contamination; results for other drinking water contaminants, including chlorination by-products, are inconclusive. A precise quantification of the burden of human cancer attributable to environmental exposure is problematic. However, despite the relatively small relative risks of cancer following exposure to environmental carcinogens, the number of cases that might be caused, assuming a causal relationship, is relatively large, as a result of the high prevalence of exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Boffetta
- International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France.
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Fisher EL, Fuortes LJ, Valentine RL, Mehrhoff M, Field RW. Dissolution of 226Radium from pipe-scale deposits in a public water supply. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2000; 26:69-73. [PMID: 11345741 DOI: 10.1016/s0160-4120(00)00080-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
This study was undertaken to determine if dissolution of 226Radium from pipe-scale deposits contributes to enhanced waterborne 226Radium concentrations at the point of use. Water samples were collected from residential water customers of a small rural Iowa town. Sites were evenly divided between new and old water main connections. Daily samples were collected from the point-of-entry water. Point-of-use 226Radium concentrations ranged from 0.4 to 12.9 pCi L-1 (0.01 to 0.5 Bq L-1). The mean 226 Radium concentration for homes connected to old water mains was significantly higher than the mean 226Radium concentration of homes connected to new water mains, mean(standard deviation) equal 8.3(1.1) and 5.3(0.8) pCi L-1 [0.3(1.1) and 0.2(0.8) Bq L-1], respectively. 226Radium concentrations of the point-of-entry water ranged from 5.0 pCi L-1 to 10.3 pCi L-1 (0.2 Bq L-1 to 0.4 Bq L-1). This study indicates considerable variability of 226Radium exposure from drinking water among residents of the same water supply and has implications for regulatory compliance and exposure assessment in epidemiologic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- E L Fisher
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Environmental Health, University of Iowa, Oakdale Campus, M315 OH, Iowa City, IA 52242-5000, USA.
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Forastiere F, Sperati A, Cherubini G, Miceli M, Biggeri A, Axelson O. Adult myeloid leukaemia, geology, and domestic exposure to radon and gamma radiation: a case control study in central Italy. Occup Environ Med 1998; 55:106-10. [PMID: 9614394 PMCID: PMC1757546 DOI: 10.1136/oem.55.2.106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate whether indoor randon or gamma radiation might play a part in myeloid leukaemia as suggested by studies based on crude geographical or geological data for exposure assessment. METHODS For six months randon and gamma radiation was measured with solid state nuclear track detectors and thermoluminescent dosimeters in dwellings of 44 adult male cases of acute myeloid leukaemia and 211 controls (all subjects deceased). Conditional logistic regression ORs (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were estimated for quartiles of radon and gamma radiation and for municipality and dwelling characteristics. RESULTS The risk of leukaemia was associated with an increasing urbanisation index (p value for trend = 0.008). An increased OR was found among those living in more modern houses (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.4 to 6.6). Confirming the findings of a previous study in the same area, geological features bore a positive association with myeloid leukemia, even by adjusting for level of urbanisation. Contrary to expectations from the previous study, however, no association appeared between myeloid leukaemia and radon and gamma radiation; for the highest quartiles of exposure, ORs were 0.56 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.4) and 0.52 (95% CI 0.2 to 1.4), respectively. Considering only subjects who had lived > or = 20 years in the monitored home and adjusting for urbanisation, there was still no effect of exposure to radiation. CONCLUSIONS In view of the limited numbers, the results do not in general refute a possible risk of myeloid leukaemia from exposure to indoor radon or gamma radiation, but decrease the credibility of such a relation in the area studied and also of other studies suggesting an effect without monitoring indoor radiation. Some other fairly strong determinants have appeared--that is, level of urbanisation and living in modern houses--that might need further consideration.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Forastiere
- Department of Epidemiology, Lazio Regional Health Autority, Rome, Italy.
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Bujdosó E. Environmental radiochemistry and radioactivity. J Radioanal Nucl Chem 1993. [DOI: 10.1007/bf02134599] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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