Danger Dust

A new study published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology(link is external and opens in a new window) and led by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health identifies the hidden geological mechanisms behind widespread uranium contamination in Eastern Karnataka, India, where 78 percent of tested groundwater exceeds safe drinking limits for uranium, and some groundwater uranium contamination reaches levels 75 times the U.S. EPA limit. Uranium exposure can affect kidneys, bones, and the liver, yet contamination often goes undetected.

The researchers discovered that uranium becomes dangerously mobile in specific underground environments—a finding that could help local communities monitor and manage this health threat. With over 25 million people in the region relying on groundwater for more than 70 percent of their drinking water, these insights could lead to targeted solutions, such as where to site wells and localized treatment at affected well-heads.