Uranium isotopes in food and effect on health of Southern Kazakhstan citizens

ABSTRACT

Natural uranium isotopes were determined in food products of the Kyzylorda region in Kazakhstan. This region is characterised by the influence of the uranium industry, as up to 15% of the world uranium reserves are concentrated in this part of Kazakhstan and the adjacent territory of Kyrgyzstan. The food products most consumed by locals were selected for this survey. Special attention was paid to the analysis of edible and non-edible parts of food products and the assessment of a possible increase in risk due to consumption of non-edible parts. The highest content of uranium, of 80.2 µg/kg, was found in the edible part of the carrot. The highest activity concentrations of uranium isotopes are found in carrot, potato and onion, as edible parts of these vegetables are grown in the soil. All estimated cancer risks for uranium isotopes range from 10⁻¹⁴ to 10⁻¹², which are insignificant values.

KEYWORDS:

• Vegetables
• environmental contaminants
• heavy metals
• natural isotopes

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the programme: 217 “Development of science” subprogram: 102 “Grant financing of scientific research” of the Committee of Science of Ministry of Education and Science of Republic of Kazakhstan under the project “Influence of application of mineral fertilizers on accumulation ability of radionuclides and heavy metals in root vegetables” (IRN АР08052224).