Determinations of uranium concentrations in soil, water, vegetables and biological samples from inhabitants of war affected areas in eastern Croatia (ICP-MS method)

Abstract The occurrence of elevated uraniumlevels in post-war areas raise concerns among populations, especially in areas affected by heavy bombardment and potential use of depleted uraniumweapons. The aim of this study was to assess public exposure to the uraniumWater, soil, vegetables, urine, serum and hair samples were collected for the first time in eastern Croatia and analysed using an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) method, in order to try to explain the possible origins of uraniumin the population and environment. Urine, serum and hair samples were collected from 389 inhabitants. A large variation of uraniumconcentrations in urine, serum and hair samples was found in this study. The majority of urine, serum and hair samples from our study had uraniumconcentrations below the reference literature values. A higher uraniumconcentration in the hair of 4% of inhabitants, mostly from rural areas, could not be explained at this stage of research. A further, extended epidemiological study should be made of uraniumin the region.