PARLIAMENT QUESTION: IMPACT OF URANIUM MINING ON HEALTH

The Health Physics Unit (HPU) of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), regularly carries out environmental monitoring around the mining facilities to evaluate the impact of uranium mining. UCIL carries out its mining and processing activities under the regulatory oversight of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), with periodic inspections and reviews by AERB, the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), and the State Pollution Control Board (SPCB).

Radiological monitoring of workplaces and the surrounding environment have been carried out continuously since the commencement of operations. The monitoring results consistently indicate that radiation exposure to workers and members of the public remains well within the limits prescribed by AERB. A health survey was conducted by Uranium Corporation of India (UCIL) in the surrounding villages of UCIL establishments in Jharkhand in the recent past.

The survey covered many villages and a large number of villagers were medically examined. The health issues observed among villagers were typical in nature and similar to those generally found in rural areas with comparable socio-economic conditions. The major finding of all the past studies was that the disease pattern around the uranium mining operation cannot be ascribed to radiation exposure.

This information was given by Union Minister of State for Prime Minister’s office and Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today (UPDATED ON 23RD JULY 2026)