RADON IN DRINKING WATER

RADON IN CT WELL WATER

As the element uranium breaks down, it releases radon gas which goes into the surrounding soil, air, and water. Occasionally, radon gas can dissolve into wells and contaminate the water. This occurs because radon is commonly found in soils across the country, making well water especially susceptible. If you are concerned you may have radon in drinking water at your home, it’s important to do radon testing immediately.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT RADON

Radon is a naturally occurring colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. It can be found in your water and air and occurs as uranium slowly breaks down in the environment. Radon is considered radioactive, which means it can be dangerous at high levels. If radon levels are high in the air, it is most likely coming from the soil beneath your home or your water supply.

When your water supply contains radon, it can cause long-term health risks if ingested. Well water problems, cracks in your home’s foundation, and issues with sump pumps can all cause radon gas to leak into your home.

POTENTIAL RADON HEALTH EFFECTS

While radon might be common across the United States, that doesn’t mean that it is necessarily safe. Research has found that while radon in drinking water isn’t a massive health concern, high levels of it in your indoor air can be. If there is radon in your water, it can be released into the air when you use it for daily tasks like showering or doing the laundry.

Studies have found that long-term exposure to radon is linked to lung cancer and stomach cancer. This heavily depends on the radon levels, how long a person was breathing that air, as well as what their susceptibility may look like due to their current health. It is estimated that with every 10,000 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), about 1 pCi/L goes into the surrounding air. The CT Department of Public Health guideline for radon in water is 5,000 pCi/L, meaning if your water levels cross that threshold, it is unsafe to drink.

HOW TO REDUCE RADON LEVELS

If you’re looking to reduce radon well water levels in your home, we typically recommend a carbon system, depending on the level. Carbon systems work great for homes with lower levels of radon as well because the radon attaches to the carbon in the tank and then leaves the water during backwash.

SOLVE YOUR RADON WATER PROBLEMS CT

At H2O Equipment Company, we care about your water and your safety. That’s why we provide high-quality equipment to help with your water needs, including elevated radon levels. To learn more about our water testing services or to solve your radon problem with a carbon system, feel free to contact us today.