Ever since 1983, radon has been a very public, very dangerous problem. Radon leaches out of the earths crust and seeps into the basements and cellars of households and buildings all over the world, and can cause serious health problems if 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?
Radon first enters the water stream deep underground. There are a couple ways this can happen, but any system in which water is pumped out of the ground and into water towers or reservoirs can be a culprit. Once radon has made its way into water, it is hard to get out, and will never just leave the water though 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 units simply expose the water coming into the house to enough air to sufficiently vet out all the radon particles before they enter the house. Using current water softener technology these units are inexpensive and can remove up to 99.9% of radon from a source.
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 systems run the water though a kind of tubing that is semipermeable to air. An air compressor blows highly pressurized air into the column, forcing its way into the pockets of water, and picking up a lot of the radon along the way. After this happens, they air can be removed, and the water can continue onto the house.
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?
Radon first enters the water stream deep underground. There are a couple ways this can happen, but any system in which water is pumped out of the ground and into water towers or reservoirs can be a culprit. Once radon has made its way into water, it is hard to get out, and will never just leave the water though 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 units simply expose the water coming into the house to enough air to sufficiently vet out all the radon particles before they enter the house. Using current water softener technology these units are inexpensive and can remove up to 99.9% of radon from a source.
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 systems run the water though a kind of tubing that is semipermeable to air. An air compressor blows highly pressurized air into the column, forcing its way into the pockets of water, and picking up a lot of the radon along the way. After this happens, they air can be removed, and the water can continue onto the house.
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.
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