Uranium is a natural element of the earth’s crust found in some parts of New England. Uranium gets into drinking water sources when groundwater dissolves minerals that contain uranium. Elevated levels of uranium are more likely to be found in deeper drilled wells, rather than in dug wells or surface water supplies.
Uranium in drinking water has been linked to kidney damage, cancers and other health concerns. Kidney injury is the most sensitive endpoint for uranium, which means that the kidney is the organ that is most susceptible to the effects of uranium. Most uranium from drinking water is eliminated from the body. However, a small amount is absorbed and carried through the bloodstream. Once in the bloodstream, the uranium compounds are filtered by the kidneys, where they can cause damage to the kidney cells.
