Radon & Well Water

Earth contains a relatively abundant amount of radon--a natural gas which has no color or odor. Radon is one of the most dangerous substances on earth because it is radioactive. It results from the breakdown of uranium and often resides in water wells.

Significance

• Just about every private well contains at least some level of radon gas. Groundwater often picks up radon as it flows through granite rock and gravel.

Effects

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency confirms radon as a potential carcinogen at levels beyond 20,000 picocuries (a "Curie" equates to the amount of radioactivity found in 1 gram of radon; "pico" means trillionth) of radon per liter of dissolved water and 4 picocuries per liter of air.

Function

• Radon can seep through the cracks in the foundation of a house and enter the air as water evaporates after household water use, such as from showers and laundry machines.

Prevention/Solution

• Consumers can easily remove radon from well water by passing it through a carbon filter; this works best when placing the filter as close to the water source as possible. Alternatively, a person can mix well water with air and then vent it before usage.

Important Fact

• About 14,000 deaths from cancer each year come from radon poisoning, according to the U.S. surgeon general.

Testing

• Hardware stores and other retail outlets offer do-it-yourself kits for radon that use charcoal canisters or other instruments to test for the gas. Short-term kits must remain in the home for two to 90 days to provide results.