New Directions
in Advocacy
WATER QUALITY
Continued radon awareness regarding water testing will be an additional advocacy initiative of Citizens for Radioactive Radon Reduction (CR3). “We will be refocusing our approach to respond to issues surrounding well testing for radon given the current environmental climate,” said Director Gloria Linnertz. As someone with a deep invested background in policy, advocacy and government, Gloria understands that a strong consumer voice is critical to protecting and improving people’s air and water quality, to promote better health and preventing lung cancer.
Radon in water usually originates in water wells that are drilled into bedrock containing radon gas. These wells could be private water wells or wells that are utilized by a public water supply system. If you have public water and have a concern about radon, contact your water supplier. Radon usually does not occur in significant concentrations in surface waters.
Dissolved radon in groundwater will escape into indoor air during showering, laundering, and dishwashing. Estimates are that indoor air concentrations increase by approximately 1 pCi/L for every 10,000 pCi/L in water. For example, a water well containing 2,000 pCi/L of radon would be expected to contribute 0.2 pCi/L to the indoor air radon concentration. Based on the potential for cancer, the EPA suggests that indoor air should not exceed 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L). Bryan Swistock, senior extension associate and Dana Rizzo, extension educator. https://extension.psu.edu/reducing-radon-in-drinking-water
EPA and various states have recommended drinking water standards for radon in water ranging from 300 to 10,000 pCi/L but no standard currently exists. One study of radon in over 900 Pennsylvania water wells found that 78% exceeded 300 pCi/L, 52% exceeded 1,000 pCi/L and 10% exceeded 5,000 pCi/L.
Detection and Testing
Since most exposure to radon is from air, testing of indoor air is the simplest method to determine the overall risk of radon in your home. Test kits for indoor air radon are inexpensive and readily available at most home supply stores.
Testing for radon in water is also inexpensive (generally $25 to $50) but requires special sampling and laboratory analysis techniques that measure its presence before it escapes from the sample. Test kits are available from various private testing labs. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP), Radon Division at 800-237-2366 for a list of labs. Carefully follow the lab instructions when collecting your water sample to ensure accurate results.
Radon Treatment
Keep in mind that the presence of waterborne radon indicates that radon is probably also entering the house through the soil into the basement which is generally the predominant source. Therefore, treating the water without reducing other sources of incoming airborne radon probably will not eliminate the radon threat. Therefore, you should also test the air in your home for radon.
Radon must be removed from water before the radon can become airborne. Devices broadly termed "point- of-entry" treatment are installed in order to treat the water as it enters the home. Treatment equipment can be purchased through water treatment dealers or a select few radon mitigation companies. Be sure to thoroughly investigate and check references for the company you choose.
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Reducing Radon in Drinking Water
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