Uranium : Study
A new study by the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) concludes that up to 60 µg/l of uranium in drinking water is safe, challenging the Bureau of Indian Standards’ (BIS) 2021 limit of 30 µg/l.
- The BIS standard aligns with WHO recommendations but the BARC study argues it may be counterproductive, adding unnecessary purification costs without health benefits.
- BARC researchers cite medical research indicating that small uranium concentrations do not pose health risks, including cancer.
- The study compares India’s standards to those of other countries, noting higher acceptable limits in nations with significant uranium consumption like Finland and Slovakia.
- The BARC study criticizes BIS for not conducting health impact studies before setting the 30 µg/l limit, unlike agencies such as the US Environmental Protection Agency.
- The study suggests retaining the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board’s limit of 60 µg/l, emphasizing the need for country-specific standards based on local conditions and economic factors.
