Starting all the way back in 1983, radon has gotten a lot of press for being dangerous for you health. The general premise was that radon can creep out of the earth's outer layer and into the bottom of your home, spreading into your air--becoming airborne, and posing a significant risk to you and your loved ones. It can get serious when not testing and not kept in check.
The public health scare and subsequent media outrage largely focused on airborne radon. Airborne radon can seriously cause health issues, don't get me wrong, but waterborne radon has been long overlooked, and is a completely understated threat. Now that many are testing their water and see considerable levels of radon in it, the question is asked: How can we reduce radon levels in our drinking water?
Much like its airborne counterpart, waterborne radon's first step in rising happens deep in the bowels of the earth. Because many peoples water comes from underground wells, aquifers, or groundwater sources, much of the drinking water in America is at risk for this danger. Once radon has taken hold in a water source, it is unlikely to emerge from any natural process.
Once water has been pumped into the house, the radon held within it can escape into the air without warning, and this can lead to all the same sorts of issues that airborne radon can in the first place. Certain activities are particularly efficient at dispersing waterborne radon, and these include showering, washing dishes, and washing clothes. The EPA has estimated that somewhere between two and five percent of household airborne radon made its way into the household through the tap. The media hasn't picked up the dangers of waterborne radon, but the EPA has continually stressed the dangers of leaving high levels of radon unattended.
Radon and its sister elements are all radioactive; this of course mans that they are continually breaking apart and sending bits of radioactivity into and around their environment. These alpha and beta particles fly through air without much deterrence, but are much slower and weaker in water, as many of the particles are quickly absorbed by water molecules. This means that testing for radon in water requires substantial lab testing with special equipment, and it requires that these test be conducted quickly, before the radon decays too much. Direct testing with a sample is definitely the most accurate way to go.
If radon is found to be present, the best way to get rid of it is aeration.
Home aeration systems expose incoming water to an air filled tray that gives all the radon a chance to bounce out of the water supply before it enters the house.
Spray aeration units mist incoming water into a large tank that allows radon to escape into the air. This contaminated air is then blown out from a vent while the clean water is sent on through a pump that restores water pressure.
Packed column aeration units use the geometry of a pillar to increase surface area of the water flowing through it. A blower then blows air across the water and leaches out any radon. This radon-air water softener is then carried by the pressure gradient, away from the water.
Any way you can use to get rid of radon, be it through a filter or an aeration system, can greatly help your health, and reduce the risk that something terrible happen to you because of radon presence. Removing radon is a great way to protect yourself and the ones you care about.
The public health scare and subsequent media outrage largely focused on airborne radon. Airborne radon can seriously cause health issues, don't get me wrong, but waterborne radon has been long overlooked, and is a completely understated threat. Now that many are testing their water and see considerable levels of radon in it, the question is asked: How can we reduce radon levels in our drinking water?
Much like its airborne counterpart, waterborne radon's first step in rising happens deep in the bowels of the earth. Because many peoples water comes from underground wells, aquifers, or groundwater sources, much of the drinking water in America is at risk for this danger. Once radon has taken hold in a water source, it is unlikely to emerge from any natural process.
Once water has been pumped into the house, the radon held within it can escape into the air without warning, and this can lead to all the same sorts of issues that airborne radon can in the first place. Certain activities are particularly efficient at dispersing waterborne radon, and these include showering, washing dishes, and washing clothes. The EPA has estimated that somewhere between two and five percent of household airborne radon made its way into the household through the tap. The media hasn't picked up the dangers of waterborne radon, but the EPA has continually stressed the dangers of leaving high levels of radon unattended.
Radon and its sister elements are all radioactive; this of course mans that they are continually breaking apart and sending bits of radioactivity into and around their environment. These alpha and beta particles fly through air without much deterrence, but are much slower and weaker in water, as many of the particles are quickly absorbed by water molecules. This means that testing for radon in water requires substantial lab testing with special equipment, and it requires that these test be conducted quickly, before the radon decays too much. Direct testing with a sample is definitely the most accurate way to go.
If radon is found to be present, the best way to get rid of it is aeration.
Home aeration systems expose incoming water to an air filled tray that gives all the radon a chance to bounce out of the water supply before it enters the house.
Spray aeration units mist incoming water into a large tank that allows radon to escape into the air. This contaminated air is then blown out from a vent while the clean water is sent on through a pump that restores water pressure.
Packed column aeration units use the geometry of a pillar to increase surface area of the water flowing through it. A blower then blows air across the water and leaches out any radon. This radon-air water softener is then carried by the pressure gradient, away from the water.
Any way you can use to get rid of radon, be it through a filter or an aeration system, can greatly help your health, and reduce the risk that something terrible happen to you because of radon presence. Removing radon is a great way to protect yourself and the ones you care about.
About the Author:
Learn more about filters to remove fluoride and more types of filters to learn more ways to clean your water and protect your family.