Uranium and Health

Uranium is a potentially cardiotoxic, nonessential element commonly found in drinking water throughout the United States. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if urinary uranium concentrations were associated with measures of cardiac geometry and function among American Indian young adults from the Strong Heart Family Study. Urinary uranium levels were adversely associated with measures of cardiac geometry and LV function among American Indian adults, including increases in pulse pressure and LV hypertrophy. These findings support the need to determine the potential long-term subclinical and clinical cardiovascular effects of chronic uranium exposure, and the need for future strategies to reduce exposure.