Assessment of uranium exposure in a community near former uranium mining and milling

The northern region of Karnes County, Texas has been the site of extensive mining and milling of uranium-238 (238U) for over 30 years. Measurements of 238U were conducted to test the hypothesis that past mining/milling efforts have increased the environmental burden of 238U in local residential areas. 238U concentrations and lead isotope ratios were measured by ICP-MS in soil, plant tissues, household furnace filters, carpet dusts and drinking water. Soil samples (n=75) were collected from the yards of previously studied homes at the surface and 30 cm subsurface. From each home carpet vacuums, filter entrapments and dust swabs were collected (total n=15) as were water wells samples when available (n=7). A site located over 8 miles south of the study area and with no history of mining or milling facilities was found to be consistently and statistically (p<0.05) higher than corresponding subsurface samples. Lead isotope ratio analysis of soil indicates a specific source of 238U contamination in the study area from high grade imported ore. The water sample near the largest mining/milling operation compared to the control site, indicating leaching into the groundwater. Analysis of dust samples indicates indoor contamination as 238U was as much as 10X higher in homes from the mining/milling areas compared to the control region. Data thus far indicates that uranium contamination from mining/milling activities is likely to be the cause of the previously documented biological effects and suggests increased health risks for these residents