If you live in Utah, there’s a good chance you’ve heard of radon, a radioactive gas that rises from Utah’s soil. A lot of radon education focuses on radon in the air, but did you know it can be found in water, too? We’re here to help you understand what you should do to protect yourself from radon-induced illness due to water contamination.
What is radon, and why is it dangerous?
Radon is a carcinogenic, radioactive gas that is created when uranium in the ground decays. Utah has uranium throughout the entire state, which means every corner has the potential for high radon levels. In fact, roughly 50% of Utah homes tested by Utah Radon Services and Alpha Energy Labs (a third-party testing facility) show high levels of radon.
Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer in non-smokers and causes 21,000 deaths per year. Although most of those deaths are due to radon in the air, radon in water should not be ignored.
Guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The EPA recommends that all people test their homes for radon every two years due to the lung cancer risk and other health implications. According to the EPA, “Only about 1–2 percent of radon in the air comes from drinking water. However, breathing radon released to air from tap water increases the risk of lung cancer over the course of your lifetime.”
While airborne radon increases your risk of lung cancer, drinking radon-filled water can increase your risk of stomach cancer and other internal organ cancers. The water source that your home uses can also determine how much radon you’re exposed to.
Here is how different water sources and what you should do if your home uses them:
Public water systems
If you get water from a public water system, you’ll want to ask your provider if they use a surface water source or a groundwater source. If they use a surface water source, any potential radon likely will rise into the air before it makes it into your home. If they use a groundwater source, you’ll want to ask them if the water is tested for radon on a regular basis.
Private well water
If your home gets water from a private well, the EPA recommends testing it for radon. Additionally, you can call the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) for information about the local state laboratory certification office near you. If your water has high levels of radon, you have options for reducing it, which include granular activated carbon filters or aeration devices.
While radon is much more likely to cause health issues in the air, you should still ensure your water is clear to protect yourself and your loved ones. There are currently no federal regulations around radon and water sources, so all Utahns should do their due diligence to make sure their home is safe.
