Abstract |
The report summarizes published information concerning the concentrations of uranium in 89 994 U.S. surface, ground and domestic waters. Sources surveyed included the open literature, state health departments, federal agencies, and personal contacts. For each state, samples were geographically located, identified by type and use, and tabulated by decreasing uranium concentration. Histograms covering 14 concentration ranges were prepared for all surface, ground, and domestic water samples of each state and for the entire United States. Estimates were made of the population-weighted average concentrations of uranium in domestic waters of each state. Based on these averages, alpha radiation bone doses were computed for lifetime consumptions of each water. In addition, the fractions of water supplies in each state producing water containing uranium in excess of 1, 5, 10 and 20 pCi/L were estimated. An extensive discussion of analytical methods used to determine uranium in surface and ground waters was also included. |