Could your well water contain radon?
What Is Radon?
Radon is an invisible, odorless and tasteless gas that comes from the breakdown of uranium inside the earth. Radon can get into drinking water from private wells that are drilled into or near rock formations that contain uranium. Because radon is radioactive and carcinogenic, it is deadly to humans who ingest high levels of radon, usually in their homes.
1 in 10 wells in Maine has too much arsenic, uranium, radon, or other harmful chemicals.
Radon gas seeps into our homes through foundation materials, and through our water when it is agitated and becomes airborne during delivery through fixtures. Even houses built on slabs can have dangerous levels of radon, as can homes without foundations. In Maine, houses over sand and gravel commonly test at higher levels of radon.
The only way to know if your water is safe to drink is to test it.
Do I Have Radon?
Thousands of homes in Maine have elevated radon levels. Radon in water can increase the chances of you or your family members developing cancer. The Maine Bureau of Health recommends that radon in drinking water be no more than 4,000 pCi/L. If you have a radon water level of 4,000 pCi/L (picocuries per liter) or higher, it is recommended that you take steps to remedy the problem as soon as possible. Your health and the health of your family can be very seriously affected from breathing radon in the home.
When to Test or Retest for Radon
- You should retest your home every two years.
- Any time you move into a new home.
- When you make structural changes to your home.
- If you drill a new well.
How Do I Reduce Radon?
Radon Water levels can be reduced with the installation of a Bubble Up Radon Water Mitigation system. This system is installed in the basement or utility room, and is the size of a small washing machine.