Radon

Symptoms:

Radon is said to be a cause of lung cancer. The reason is that each time a faucet is turned on; radon is released into the air and inhaled.

Causes:

Radon is an odorless, colorless, tasteless, radioactive gas found beneath the ground. It occurs naturally and is produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. Radon has the ability to dissolve into our water supply. When you live in an area where there is an abundance of granite you are more apt to find radon in the water supply. High levels of radon gas are formed and travel through the granite and into the groundwater which is then transported to your private well.

Health Concerns:

Though the risk of ingestion is minimal, it is breathing air that has radon released in it that is the issue. Breathing radon can be a prime cause of lung cancer.

Action Level:

Over 300 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).

More Information:

(Radon 222) is a naturally occurring radioactive element measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Radon is produced during the radioactive decay process of uranium that has been in the earth's crust since the earth was formed. In water, radon is measured in picocuries per liter (pCi/L). A picocurie is 0.037 radioactive disintegrations per second. The EPA estimates that 10,000 pCi/L in water translates to about 1 pCi/L in air.

There are two methods for removing radon from the water - Granular Activated Carbon and Aeration. At US Water, we use both solutions in removing radon from the water supply.