Uranium contamination in drinking water as a health concern in Uttarakhand, India.

Impacts of uranium exposure via drinking water on human health are of great concern due to its radiological and chemical toxicities. The consumption of uranium is linked with various serious diseases such as stomach cancer, kidney disease, deformity of bones and liver etc. In this paper, we present the results of measurements of uranium concentration in drinking water sources of Kumaun Himalaya, India. The associated radiological and chemical risks are estimated in terms of excess cancer risk and hazard quotient, respectively. No siginificant health risk is observed due to uranium consumption via drinking water in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]