Water Survivalists for dummies:
Radiation
Keeping with the theme of apocalypse and emergency preparedness I’ve chosen this first blog post about radiation, or rather radionuclides in water. Keep in mind that radiation is not something you should only be concerned about in the time of war, radionuclides are very common and present in drinking water. In this article you will learn what radionuclides are, how to test and treat the problem. Dating back to the early 1980's their have been several shows and movies geared towards Radioactive warfare such as Jericho my personal favorite, Radioctive Man ect. We also hear of it in the news now were are not intending on scaring you but educating you of the risks and treatments of such elements.
What is a Radionuclide: It sounds like a word you would see on an advanced biology final you forget to study for. But in fact the definition is quite simple and broken down into two parts. A nuclide is applied to any atomic form of any element. And a radionuclide is an unstable form a nuclide or an element.
How do radionuclides get into water? Don’t worry if it turns out your water has radionuclides, it doesn’t mean your house was once the site of bomb testing. A low level of radiation is common in all air, water, and land and is not harmful. However higher levels can be dangerous, and may be caused from companies illegally dumping hazardous waste. Yes radiological war is a possibility but we are gearing to educate you on the elements themselves.
Health Concerns: Regardless of the type of radionuclide (Radium, Alpha, Beta Particle and Photon Radioactivity, or Uranium) all have the same effects: After ingesting them over time you have an increased chance of getting cancer. Radionuclides are a direct health risk but they can be remediated.
Testing: Testing your water for radionuclides is easy, and fairly inexpensive depending on your area and local lab (Typical prices range from $75-$200). Take a sample of your well water and have a laboratory test you water for Gross Alpha + Radon. Results usually take about 5-7 days, and can be emailed directly to you.
Treatment: Depending on the extent and type of radionuclide you have changes the treatment. The best way to asses what needs to be done is to call your local well or water treatment company. There are several ways you can get rid of radionuclides: Aeration, Reverse Osmosis, or filters. The CDC has indicated that Reverse Osmosis is very effective in the remediation of Radionuclides.
In the end, radiation can be dangerous and you should test your water regularly just to be safe. And again keep in mind, radiation and radionuclides are not just something that needs to be worried about during a time of war or the apocalypse.
Stay tuned for more water survival!
This article was written by: Sarah Thibaudeau Assistant to Operations Manager
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