Radon is a naturally occurring gas caused by the breakdown of uranium and radium-containing rock deposits in the earth's crust. Chronic exposure to radon can cause or contribute to lung cancer.

EPA studies show that people who are exposed to radon have higher incidences of lung cancer. There is also some evidence that radon in water may increase the incidence of stomach cancer.

Where does radon in my water come from?

As water moves through the ground, radon gas can be carried in the water to your tap. When well water is agitated at warm temperatures in the home, radon is released into the air. When you shower, bathe or simply run the tap, the radon in the water is liberated into the air, forming radon gas that can be inhaled in. According to the EPA, radon levels in ground water are highest in New England and the Appalachian uplands of the Mid-Atlantic and Southern States. Certain areas around the Rocky Mountains, California, Texas and the upper Midwest also have elevated levels of radon in the ground water. These areas are most likely to have elevated radon in water levels, but radon in water can occur anywhere in the US.

  If I have radon in my water, what should I do?

Simple aeration removes up to 99% of radon from water. Radon is rarely a problem in public systems because the water is aerated during water treatment. Unfortunately, this does not occur in water being drawn from a private well. Aeration treatment equipment aerates the water, then vents the gas to the outside. This treatment option requires that the gas be vented above the roof line, otherwise the gas may enter the home.

Another option is granular activated carbon filtration. In this type of treatment, the water is filtered through carbon which adsorbs the radon. This type of filter requires relatively large amounts of carbon and a long contact time to be efficient. The carbon from a radon filtration system may have to be handled specially for disposal since the potential build up of radioactivity can make it hazardous.