Ulaanbaatar water supply faces mineral threats

There has been a rumour recently, that the Ulaanbaatar water supply contains high percentage of uranium. Deputy Professor of Health Science University of Mongolia, School of Public Health O.Chimedsuren has given the facts on this matter.

-Is it true that uranium was detected in the water supply of Ulaanbaatar?

-Firstly, I would like to confirm that uranium was not detected in the Ulaanbaatar water supply. 

Last summer, two students of the University of Michigan, School of Public Health conducted some research about the water in wells of Ulaanbaatar with the help of the professors and student of the School of Public Health of HSUM. They collected 129 samples from wells used by residents of Sukhbaatar, Chingeltei, Songinokhairkhan, Khan-Uul, Bayanzurkh, Bayangol, Bagakhangai Districts, and were then examined by the Water Authority Office. They were also investigated by the ICP-MS device used by the University of Michigan, where they determined that the radiation level of two wells were above average. One of wells was from the Songinkhairkhan District’s Khui Doloo well, which is a livestock washing spot, and the other is the well of a chicken farm in Bayangol District. The World Health Organization’s standard for the uranium level of the water supply in Mongolia is 15 microgram/litre, but 5.4% of the water examined in this study were above the recommended level. However, this is not as harmful as the media is making it out to be.

The Environmental Protection Agency of the USA states that the standard for the water supply radiation level in North America is 30 microgram/ litre. Compared to this, the above average radiation level of the wells found in Ulaanbaatar is much lower than the water supplies of the USA. Furthermore, the wells are used to wash animals and water plantations.

-Can you confirm that the residents of the capital are not drinking radioactive water?

-Yes. These radiation levels were detected from private wells. The central water supply used by apartments and establishments connected to the central supply of Ulaanbaatar comes from four different sources which are sterilized. Ulaanbaatar has 600 thousand residents in six districts that use private water supplies. There are 296 private water transport points, and more than 170 that are connected to the central water supply. 

All water sources are inspected and approved by the authorities.

-Why is there high level of uranium in the two wells?

-Uranium is a natural element. The wells are located in mountainous, mineral rich soils, which is why they have high uranium levels. The residents did not take into account the mineral composition of the location before digging the well. Since, Mongolia is a mineral rich country; we have to determine the mineral composition before using underground water supplies.

-What are the negative affect that uranium has on living organisms?

-These wells will not cause any harm to the consumers, at any rate people don’t drink from those wells. The damage depends on the radiation level. Researchers who tested on animals determined that uranium damages the kidneys, decrease bone density, and may affect fetus development.