The amount of uranium in drinking water is relatively low. Water with low concentrations of uranium is safe to drink. Uranium occurs naturally in very small quantities in the environment. It can be found in rocks, the earth, the air and the water.
Uranium, is a chemical element with a metallic gray color. Of the elements naturally occurring on Earth, it is the element with the heaviest atomic mass. Uranium has a very high density, which means that it is very heavy. It occurs naturally in small quantities in rocks, air, soil and water. Uranium is in the periodic table with symbol U and atomic number 92.
Uranium occurs naturally in water and soil. The Netherlands contains about 0.4 to 8 milligrams of uranium per kilogram of dry soil. The image shows a
Besides uranium naturally occurring in the environment, there are also several other sources of uranium contamination. Uranium is used in the production of nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors, among other things. This releases chemical waste. Uranium is also emitted during the combustion of coal. Mining activities can also cause contamination with uranium.
A higher concentration of uranium can be found near mines, chemical waste disposal sites and companies in the phosphate industry.
Uranium and its compounds are very toxic. Exposure to a low dose of uranium can cause liver and kidney damage. The kidneys in particular are very sensitive to uranium. After ingestion of uranium, it enters the bloodstream. Blood is filtered by the kidneys where uranium can seriously damage kidney cells. With a high intake of uranium, acute kidney failure occurs. At a lower dose over a longer period of time, it can take a long time for visible symptoms to appear. One of the only indications is the presence of certain proteins and dead kidney cells in the urine.
In the longer term, uranium can build up in the body. Genetic damage can then be done that eventually leads to
These risks only apply when uranium is ingested, for example through food or drinking water. The alpha radiation from uranium does not penetrate the skin. Thus, an effective way to prevent damage to your body from uranium is to consume safe food and drinking water. By filtering your drinking water with ZeroWater you are assured of uranium-free drinking water.
Yes, ZeroWater filters 99% uranium from tap water. The Premium 5-Stage Ion Exchange Water Filtration System removes more contaminants than the standard 2-Stage filters. ZeroWater had 150 liters of filtered water (double the rated usage) tested by an independent certified external laboratory during the test. The test results are based on the NSF / ANSI test protocol of flow-through equipment for contaminants listed under the national primary drinking water standards.
