Regional water pollution and use of unregulated water sources can be an important mixed metals exposure pathway for rural populations located in areas with limited water infrastructure and an extensive mining history. Using censored data analysis and mapping techniques we analyzed the joint geospatial distribution of arsenic and uranium in unregulated water sources throughout the Navajo Nation, where over 500 abandoned uranium mine sites are located in the rural southwestern United States. Results indicated that arsenic and uranium concentrations exceeded national drinking water standards in 15.1 % (arsenic) and 12.8 % (uranium) of tested water sources. Unregulated sources in close proximity (i.e., within 6 km) to abandoned uranium mines yielded significantly higher concentrations of arsenic or uranium than more distant sources. The demonstrated regional trends for potential co-exposure to these chemicals have implications for public policy and future research. Specifically, to generate solutions that reduce human exposure to water pollution from unregulated sources in rural areas, the potential for co-exposure to arsenic and uranium requires expanded documentation and examination. Recommendations for prioritizing policy and research decisions related to the documentation of existing health exposures and risk reduction strategies are also provided.

中文翻译：

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美国那瓦伙族人国家未经管制的水源中砷和铀的浓度升高。

对于位于水利基础设施有限和采矿历史悠久的地区的农村人口来说，区域性水污染和使用不受管制的水源可能是重要的混合金属暴露途径。利用审查数据分析和制图技术，我们分析了整个纳瓦霍族国家不受管制的水源中砷和铀的联合地理空间分布，那里有500多个废弃的铀矿场位于美国西南部农村地区。结果表明，在被测水源中，砷和铀的浓度超过了国家饮用水标准的15.1％（砷）和12.8％（铀）。与废弃的铀矿紧邻（即6公里之内）的不受管制的污染源比远处的污染源产生的砷或铀浓度要高得多。这些化学品潜在共同暴露的区域趋势已证明对公共政策和未来研究具有影响。具体而言，为了产生解决方案以减少人类从农村地区不受管制的源头受到水污染的暴露，砷和铀共同暴露的可能性需要扩大文件记录和审查。还提供了有关优先考虑与现有健康暴露和降低风险策略相关的政策和研究决策的建议。砷和铀共同暴露的可能性需要扩大文件记录和检查。还提供了有关优先考虑与现有健康暴露和降低风险策略相关的政策和研究决策的建议。砷和铀共同暴露的可能性需要扩大文件记录和检查。还提供了有关优先考虑与现有健康暴露和降低风险策略相关的政策和研究决策的建议。