Citation

Stalder E, Blanc A, Haldimann M, Dudler V. Chemosphere 2012; 86(6): 672-679.

Affiliation

Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH), Food Safety Division, Chemical Risks Section, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.chemosphere.2011.11.022

PMID

22154002

Abstract

The results of a nationwide survey of uranium in Swiss drinking water are reported. Elevated concentrations of uranium in groundwater are found mainly in the alpine regions and can be traced back to the geology of the bedrock. Water sources were systematically surveyed and analysed for the presence of Li, B, Si, Sc, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Sr, Cd, Sn, Sb, Ba, Tl, Pb and U and the results were analysed to determine if any correlation with uranium concentration was apparent. No correlation was found. The results are interpreted in relation to the current WHO guideline and those of other countries with a view to determining which areas would be affected if a maximum value were to be adopted and which areas require further investigation. Uranium content varied considerably, from below the limit of detection to almost 100μgL(-1). Of the 5548 data samples, 98% are below the 2004 WHO provisional guideline value of 15μgL(-1) and 99.7% below the revised (2011) value of 30μgL(-1).

Language: en