Recent Study Reveals Sociodemographic and Regional Inequalities in Arsenic and Uranium Concentrations
A recent study conducted a nationwide geospatial analysis of county racial and ethnic composition while also analyzing concentrations of arsenic and uranium in public drinking water. Utilizing models from 2000-2011, the study found that higher proportions of Hispanic/Latino and American Indian/Alaskan Native residents were associated with significantly higher concentrations of both arsenic and uranium. Exposure to arsenic and uranium can be associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease and other adverse health outcomes, and as a result, EPA has set a maximum contaminant level of 30 µg/L for uranium and 10 µg/L for arsenic, with a maximum contaminant level goal of 0 µg/L for both contaminants. The study hopes the findings will elevate environmental justice initiatives and inform regulatory action. For more information and to access the full study results, click here.
