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Radon Where is Waterborne Radon Found? Radon is produced by the radioactive decay of radium in the ground. Granites and other rocks may contain high concentrations of radium and produce significant amounts of radon. Aquifers in these rocks accumulate the radon, increasing the concentration in the water. The highest radon concentrations in water are found in ground water supplies. Radon is more common in smaller ground water supplies . . . those serving 25 or fewer people.
Radon in rocks of surrounding aquifers diffuses into the water, but radon remains trapped in the water until exposed to air. Once the water is exposed to air, the radon can move rapidly to the air, where it becomes a concern as it may be inhaled. Agitating and heating the water increases radon movement to the air, so clothes washing machines, dishwashers and water heaters can become sources of airborne radon.
Drinking water contaminated with radon may provide a risk of cancer, but the risk is higher when the radon moves from the water into indoor air. Radon can accumulate in buildings to levels that may be harmful.
Treatments that move the radon from the water to indoor air should be avoided.
It is clear that;
Radon Water Treatment Four methods can be used to treat water contaminated with radon. Each of these has been used to treat water in homes or in small water supplies and each can be cost-effective depending on the circumstances.
1. Blend ground water with surface water Here we simply dilute the water containing high radon concentrations with water containing no radon or a very low concentration. The amount of dilution needed is directly proportional to the radon concentration in the ground water. This approach is effective only for ground water concentrations at or below 1,200 pCi/L. Beyond that level, the amount of water needed for dilution would too great.
2. Storing the water before use Radon has a half-life of 3.8 days (a half-life is the length of time required to reduce the radioactivity by one-half.) When we store the water for one half-life (3.83 days,) the radon concentration is cut in half. When we store it for two half-lives (7.6 days,) we anticipate a reduction in the concentration by a factor of four. And each additional 3.83 days of storage reduces the concentration by an additional factor of two.
Obviously, the usefulness of this approach depends on the length of time over which it is possible and reasonable to store the water.
3. Granular Activated Carbon Filtration Activated carbon is used to remove many other pollutants and odors from water supplies. As water is passed through the activated carbon filter, the radon is adsorbed onto the carbon. Filter effectiveness depends greatly on the contact time, with longer contact time assuring increased removal.
Carbon filters must be replaced or backwashed periodically at least every few months due to the buildup of wastes, bacteria and other contaminants. It is always good to install a sediment pre-filter in line before an activated carbon filter. Note: Because the radon trapped in a carbon filter eventually decays and becomes other radioactive materials that can pose a health risk, regular filter changes are required. Disposal of these filters as radioactive waste may be required. Check with local authorities before disposing of the used filter.
4. Aeration Because radon is highly volatile, it transfers easily to the air when water is aerated. Aeration can remove as much as 95 percent of the radon. The investment for a home water supply is dependent on the volume of water treated, but the initial investment usually ranges from a few hundred dollars to $2,000.00, with annual operating costs around $100.00.
Remember, when the radon is removed from the water by aeration, it is transferred the air. Concentrations in the air can be significant. The aeration process air cannot be vented in a manner that allows it to enter a home or building. And it should not be vented to where people or animals may concentrate. In some cases air filters may be required.
Important Note It may be that completely removing waterborne radon will reduce the risk from radon by only few percent. The challenge here is that most radon enters the home from soil and rocks and not from water. However, there are places where waterborne radon contributes more than half of the total radon. However, for most homes, we should be concentrating on lowering the radon in the air. The most cost-effective measure may be to allow the radon to move from the water to the home air and then ventilate or filter the air. The most important points to treat the air are in your basement, laundry room, bathrooms, kitchen, and any room where water is heated and/or stirred or agitated.
Michael Robison at EcoWater Systems of Moscow, 316 North Main Street, Moscow, Idaho 83843, by telephone at 208.669.0908 or by email at: michaelr@turbonet.com
Other Helpful Handouts: © 2007 by Michael L. Robison For educational use only. Permission to make copies by you for you and your friends is granted. If you find this site to be of value, a donation of any kind or amount (including making an appointment, a referral, sending money or prayer) would be greatly appreciated. I believe we need to support those things that nourish us in any way if we'd like to see them around in the future! You are encouraged to consult a knowledgeable practitioner before utilizing any of the information in this site. Enjoy.
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Page Last Edited 07/10/08
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