This follow-on analysis of the Finnish drilled-well cohort tested whether natural uranium taken in through drinking water affects blood markers of bone formation and resorption. In men there was a suggestion that the resorption marker CTx, and possibly osteocalcin, rose with uranium exposure; no such pattern was seen in women. The authors conclude bone may be a target of uranium’s chemical toxicity and call for more detailed study.
Key numbers
- Uranium in drinking water: median 27 µg/L (interquartile range 6 to 116), n = 288 (abstract, p. 68).
- Daily uranium intake: median 36 µg (7 to 207); cumulative intake median 0.12 g (0.02 to 0.66 g) (abstract, p. 68).
- Association of the bone resorption marker CTx with uranium exposure in men: p = 0.05; osteocalcin p = 0.19; no similar relationship in women (abstract, p. 68).
Methods (brief)
Cross-sectional analysis of serum osteocalcin, aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen and CTx against uranium in water, daily and cumulative intake and urinary uranium, using robust regression adjusted for age, smoking and estrogen use, separately by sex. Funded by the Ministry of Social Affairs and Health of Finland and the Medical Research Fund of Tampere University Hospital; the authors declare no competing interests.
Evidence fitness
Supports a cautious statement that bone may be a target of uranium’s chemical toxicity in men exposed through drinking water. It does not establish bone disease or fracture risk.
Limitations
Borderline statistical significance, sex-specific findings without a clear explanation, cross-sectional design and no fracture data.
Related evidence
Update history
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