Nitrates, which comes from chemical fertilizers and animate waste, accounts for 78% the pollution. Nitrates makes uranium soluble in groundwater through oxidation.
The California-based Central Valley aquifer has even higher concentration levels with uranium concentrations 180 times the MCL and nitrate concentration levels 34 times the MCL.
Though the researchers say it’s difficult to know how much uranium residents are ingesting personally, they mapped out the most affected regions: northern Texas and throughout Nebraska.
Map showing nitrate and uranium levels in aquifersEnvironmental Science and Technology LettersMap showing nitrate and uranium levels in aquifers
Uranium toxicity is caused by eating or drinking substances containing uranium. It then enters the bloodstream through the gastrointestinal system and is filtered by the kidneys, where it can cause damage to the kidney cells. A study for the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry also found that other potential damage might occur in the reproductive system.
Nitrate has also been shown to have adverse health effects on humans, although it mostly affects people with pre-existing medical conditions. Nitrate affects the ability of red blood cells to carry oxygen, but in most people the levels rapidly go back to normal. Infants on the other hand need longer to stabilize the oxygen levels and might develop a condition called methemoglobinemia or “blue baby syndrome.” Nevertheless many studies now dispute the link between nitrate and the blue baby syndrome.
It can also adversely affect people who do not have enough stomach acids and people who have a lack of the enzyme that is needed to convert red blood cells back to normal (an inherited condition). Moreover, it can increase the risk of miscarriages and certain birth defects.
The study found that 78% of the uranium-contaminated sites are linked to the presence of nitrate, a common groundwater contaminant, that stems from chemical and animal waste fertilizers. Nitrate, through a series of bacterial and chemical reactions, oxidizes uranium which then makes it soluble and capable of leaching into groundwater.
Not in the usa yet, but yes elsewhere
That’s not all…
Actually, yes in the USA. Iowa, Utah, California, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, Nevada and Arizona all have towns, municipalities and counties with regulated bans on collecting rain water and/or strict limits on how much. Fines and fees are heavy in those areas and some residents have actually been arrested for multiple violations of the regs and rules. While states themselves have no laws or rules (except California), localities within these states do have them. It may take a little digging but google it.
Barry has his community cronies infiltrating our local city councils into creating city ordinances get involved in you local city meeting to shut their practices down
Don’t forget Colorado
I heard of one story in oregon, but that guy diverted a steam, people don’t have a right to do that. But in my opinion nobody owns the rain
Tons and tons of places already illegal to collect rainwater
Dean Anderson …..it is illegal in Oregon where I live to collect rain water…..one man got fined because he had a pond for his livestock and it collected rainwater…..he was to use troughs and have a well or buy water
The pond gut diverted streams and had millions upon millions of gallons. The only issue was diverting the srreams, wich is wrong. But basic rain collecting should be completely legal, just not altering streams
Harmful to health