How will I know if I have too much radon in my air or well water?
You won’t know unless you test the air in your home, and if needed, your well water. Radon has no smell
or taste. The air in your home will seem fine and your water will taste the same as usual.
1. Testing indoor air:
To measure the levels of radon inside your home, contact a
registered Radon Testing Business. Find a list of these businesses here: www.health.ri.gov/ foodwaterenvironment. Click “Radon Testing” on the right.
oIndoor air safety limit for radon set by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
4 pCi/L (picocuries per liter)
If your indoor air test shows this level or higher, the EPA recommends you take action to lower the level. Use a Licensed Radon Mitigation Contractor: www.health.ri.gov/foodwaterenvironment. Click “Contractors” on the right.
For more information, call the State’s Radon Control Program: 401-222-5960
2. Testing drinking water: If the indoor air level of radon is at 4 pCi/L or higher, test your water too. Use a State-certified testing lab. Find a list here: www.health.ri.gov/find/labs/privatewelltesting.
CAUTION: Results of water tests for radon often show high numbers, such as 10,000 piC/L (picoCuries per liter) or more. The numbers for radon in water are different from the numbers in air. It takes 10,000 piC/L of radon in water to give off just 1 piC/L in air. And remember, it’s the total amount of radon in air that is of most concern to health.
Whether or not your water should be treated for radon depends on the air level. If radon is present in your well water as well as in your indoor air, contact a radon mitigation contractor (listed above) to decide next steps.
What can I do about too much radon in my air or well water?
Test your air first for radon levels. If those levels are high, have your water tested at a State-certified lab. Find a list here: www.health.ri.gov/foodwaterenvironment. Click “Radon Testing on the right.
The design of any treatment system must consider the test results from both your air and your well water. You must use a Licensed Radon Mitigation Contractor to install a treatment system. Find a list here: www.health. ri.gov/foodwaterenvironment. Click “Contractors” on the right.
Whole-house water treatment is most effective to remove radon from your water. This system includes:
oAeration – Tip Sheet 18
Important: Before you install a treatment system, call us for expert advice. Before you buy a system, ask how it will be installed and whether this costs extra. Get at least 3 price quotes. Learn the questions to ask. See Tip Sheet 16. After you buy a system, be sure to:
1. Keep all the paperwork and directions.
2. Learn what you must do to maintain the system
and do it.
Learn more
Get Tip Sheets about choosing and buying water treatment systems at www.riwelltesting.org
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