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Call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) which can provide phone numbers for your State laboratory certification office. Your State laboratory certification office or State radon office can direct you to laboratories which may be able to test your drinking water for radon.
Should you test your water for radon?
If you have a private well, the EPA recommends testing your water for radon. The Safe Drinking Water Hotline, (800) 426-4791, can provide phone numbers for your state laboratory certification office.
Is it safe to drink well water with radon?
Health Effects Radon can be inhaled from the air or ingested from water. Inhalation of radon increases the chances of lung cancer and this risk is much larger than the risk of stomach cancer from swallowing water with a high radon concentration. Generally, ingested waterborne radon is not a major cause for concern.
How often should you test for radon in water?
To provide peace of mind, 2the EPA recommends testing your home after any lifestyle changes, renovations and every two years as part of routine home maintenance.
Can a water filter remove radon?
Radon can be removed from water by one of two methods: GAC treatment – filtering water through granular activated carbon. Radon attaches to the carbon and leaves the water free of radon.
Is radon soluble in water?
Radon is hardly soluble in water Q+ and water Q0, but accumulates to some extent in water Q−. More radon accumulates in alkaline solutions than in pure water, indicating that the effect of adding salt is similar to the effect of changing the polarity of water.
Does water softener remove radon?
The best method for removing radon from the water is an aeration system. An aeration system is typically installed next to the well tank where your water supply first enters the house. The aeration system is installed after other water conditioners such as a water softener or neutralizer.
Does reverse osmosis remove radon from water?
Because reverse osmosis removes contaminants so effectively, it can significantly lower the alkalinity of the product water. Reverse osmosis does not remove gaseous contaminants such as carbon dioxide and radon.
Can radon go through water?
When the ground produces radon, it can dissolve and accumulate in water from underground sources (called ground water), such as wells. When water that contains radon is run for showering, washing dishes, cooking, and other uses, radon gas escapes from the water and goes into the air. Some radon also stays in the water.
Is radon found in soil?
Radon is constantly being generated by the radium in rocks, soil, water and materials derived from rocks and soils, such as certain building materials. Radium is a decay product of uranium which is naturally occurring in the soils and rocks of the earth’s crust.
What are symptoms of radon poisoning?
A persistent cough could be a sign that you have radon poisoning. Persistent cough. Hoarseness. Wheezing. Shortness of breath. Coughing up blood. Chest pain. Frequent infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. Loss of appetite.
How do I know where my water comes from?
The best way to learn about your drinking water is to contact your local utility. They can tell you about the source of the water, and how it is treated.
Can high levels of radon cause headaches?
The only known health effect of radon is an increased risk of lung cancer. Radon does not cause any warning symptoms like headaches, nausea, fatigue, or skin rashes.
Does a charcoal filter remove radon?
The most important type of air filter to reduce radon levels is an activated carbon filter. Carbon, which is often referred to as “charcoal,” is a substance that has a long history of being used to remove chemical impurities.
Do carbon water filters remove radon?
Radon is easily removed by aeration, since it is a gas. Carbon filtration is also very effective in removing radon.
Do GAC filters remove radon?
GAC filters will remove radon indefinitely providing that sediments or organic pollutants have not clogged the filter. A major drawback to the use of GAC filters is that if radon is present the filter becomes radioactive as it picks up the gas.
How do I get rid of radon naturally?
Other radon reduction techniques that can be used in any type of house include: sealing, house/room pressurization, heat recovery ventilation, and natural ventilation. Sealing cracks and other openings in the foundation is a basic part of most approaches to radon reduction.
What happens if you drink water with uranium?
Most ingested uranium is eliminated from the body. However, a small amount is absorbed and carried through the bloodstream. Studies show that drinking water with elevated levels of uranium can affect the kidneys over time.
Do radon mitigation systems really work?
Radon reduction systems work. Some radon reduction systems can reduce radon levels in your home by up to 99 percent. Most homes can be fixed for about the same cost as other common home repairs. Hundreds of thousands of people have reduced radon levels in their homes.
How do I remove water from my radon pipe?
The water in the radon pipes can be outed by installing a radon condensate bypass kit. A bypass will kit drain the condensed water out of the pipes without it getting into the radon fan. Water getting into the radon fan can damage it, so it is essential to have a bypass kit installed in your radon system.
Can radon cause shortness of breath?
Not everyone exposed to elevated levels of radon will develop lung cancer, and the amount of time between exposure and the onset of the disease may be many years. Breathing radon does not cause any short-term health effects such as shortness of breath, coughing, headaches, or fever.
