Healthy Drinking Waters for

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S a f e a n d h e a l t h y l i v e s i n s a f e a n d h e a l t h y c o m m u n i t i e s

Radon in Private Drinking Water Wells

rivate well owners are responsible for the Pquality of their drinking water. !e U.S. En- vironmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate private wells. Homeowners with pri- vate wells are generally not required to test their drinking water, although local Boards of Health or mortgage lenders may require well water testing. While there is also no state requirement to have your well water tested, the Massachu- setts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) recommends that all homeowners ate health effects. Its effects on the human with private wells do so, and use a state certified body are chronic in that they take time to testing laboratory. !ere is currently no federal develop. !e long-term health effect of expo- drinking water standard for radon. sure to elevated radon levels in indoor air is the increased risk of lung cancer. Radon gas in Summary indoor air is the second leading cause of lung Radon occurs naturally in Massachusetts. It is cancer. Drinking water that contains radon can a radioactive colorless, odorless, and tasteless present a risk for developing internal organ gas. !e major health concern for radon is from cancers, the leading one being stomach cancer. breathing elevated amounts in the air, which However, the risk of developing cancer from can cause lung cancer. Although, there is a radon dissolved in water is smaller than the slight risk associated with ingesting water with risk of developing cancer from radon released elevated levels of radon, the primary concern is into the air. release of radon from normal water use into in- door air. !e first step is to arrange to test your Sources of Radon in Air and Water indoor air for radon. !e treatment options Radon is a radioactive, colorless, odorless, and for radon in water are aeration and the use of tasteless gas that is formed through the break- granular activated carbon filters. down of uranium in soil and rocks. Uranium is present as a trace element in granite rock. Potential Health Effects !ere are several ways for radon to enter the Exposure to radon gas does not yield immedi- home’s air:

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R a d o n i n P r i v a t e D r i n k i n g W a t e r W e l l s

aeration. Aeration can achieve over 99 percent removal of radon gas from water. !e process consists of mixing large volumes of clean air with the well water. !e moist radon laden air is discharged outside the home. !e treated water is then repressurized to flow through your plumbing. Activated carbon is generally not recom- mended for radon removal, since radioactiv- ity will build up on the carbon. In some cases this could make the carbon in the treatment container too radioactive to be near (in the basement or floor above) and would result in very expensive disposal. Granular activated carbon filters should only be used for water with radon levels less than 10,000 pCi/L. If carbon filters are used, the filters should be handled by a water treatment professional and properly disposed. Manufacturers and suppliers of radon water treatment devices can be found in the Yellow Pages. Look under the listings for information, refer to fact sheet: Questions “Water Treatment,” “Water Conditioning,” to Ask When Purchasing Water Treatment or “Radon Testing & Services.” Well drillers, Equipment. pump installers, realtors, and local building and Board of Health officials, often know of Treatment Options for Air local radon treatment equipment suppliers. !e most common removal method for radon Consider both the initial cost and the oper- in indoor air is soil-gas ventilation, which draws ating costs. Operating costs include the energy radon gas away from the foundation of the needed to operate the system, additional water house. You can also use a preventative measure that may be needed for flushing the system, such as sealing off potential gas entryways consumable supplies and filters, repairs, and (cracks in walls and floors) to help keep radon general maintenance. out. New construction may provide escape Regardless of the quality of the equipment routes for gas generated beneath the founda- purchased, it will not operate well unless main- tion to further divert radon gas from entering tained in accordance with the manufacturer’s the house. recommendations. Keep a logbook to record equipment maintenance and repairs. Equip- ment maintenance may include periodic clean- ing and replacement of some components. Also consider any special installation requirements that may add to the equipment cost. For more

4 Healthy Drinking Waters for Massachusetts

R a d o n i n P r i v a t e D r i n k i n g W a t e r W e l l s

Resources

UMass Extension US Environmental Protection Agency !is fact sheet is one in a series on drinking For a complete list of primary and secondary water wells, testing, protection, common drinking water standards: contaminants, and home water treatment http://www.epa.gov/safewater methods available on-line at the University of Massachusetts website: MA Department of Conservation http://www.umass.edu/nrec/watershed_ and Recreation, Division of Water water_quality/watershed_online_docs.html Supply Protection and Cape Cod Cooperative Extension: Maintains listing of registered well 508-375-6699 drillers, information on well location and http://www.capecodextension.org construction: 617-626-1409 http://www.mass.gov/dcr/waterSupply/ MA Department of Environmental welldril/index.htm Protection, Division of Environmental Analysis NSF International Offers assistance, information on testing and !e NSF International has tested and certi- state certified laboratories: 617-292-5770 fied treatment systems since 1965. For For a listing of MassDEP certified private information on water treatment systems: laboratories in Massachusetts: 800-NSF-MARK (800-673-6275) http://www.mass.gov/dep/service/ http://www.nsf.org/consumer/ compliance/wespub02.htm Water Quality Association U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, !e Water Quality Association is a not-for- New England Office profit international trade association repre- Information and education on where senting the household, commercial, indus- drinking water comes from; drinking water trial, and small community water treatment testing and national laws; and how to industry. For information on water quality prevent contamination: contaminants and treatment systems: http://www.epa.gov/ne/eco/drinkwater http://www.wqa.org

!is publication is adapted from a URI fact sheet by the same name produced by the Rhode Island Department of Health and the University of Rhode Island Cooperative Extension Water Quality Program. UMass Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer, United States Department of Agriculture cooperating. Contact your local Extension office for information on disability accommodations or the UMass Extension Director if you have complaints related to discrimination, 413-545-4800. !is project was funded, in part, by a grant from US EPA. !is material is based upon work supported by the Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, under Agreement No. 2004-51130-03108. 06/01/07

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