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Radioactivity in Drinking Water

Is My Water Radioactive?

 

According to an investigative report by our friends at the Environmental Working Group (EWG), more than 170 million Americans drink tap water contaminated by radiation.[1]

Radioactivity is not scary in the way that movies and popular culture depict. Sadly, it is much stealthier and insidious. Radiation can cause irreparable damage to your body that stays hidden for years, or even across generations.

We are exposed to natural radiation in our daily lives (like bananas!).[2] Radioactive particles, or radionuclides, are a part of the natural world–they exist in plants and animals usually as potassium-40 or radium-226. 

However, increased exposure to radiation occurs in our water or air when nuclear power plants, mining operations, or laboratories release radioactive materials into the environment.

Because radiation in the environment (particularly in drinking water) is far more common that most people know, we are going to ask and answer:

  • What are radioactive particles?
  • Can water be radioactive? 
  • How do I know if my water is radioactive?
  • How can I test for radioactive particles in water? 
  • How do I treat radioactive water? 

What Is Radioactivity? 

Radioactivity is “the act of emitting radiation spontaneously.”[3]

“Radiation” refers to any process that emits energy in the form of electromagnetic waves or particles, such as light or sound.When we talk about radioactive particles, we are specifically referring to ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation is radiation that causes an atom or molecule to lose electrons and become charged–this charged molecule is called an ion.

An atom can be radioactive when it is unstable and wants to dissipate some of its energy to reach a more stable form. The different “forms” of stable or unstable radioactive elements are called isotopes. We distinguish these radioactive isotopes by their mass, which is attached to the end of the element name, like Uranium-238.

Types of Ionizing Radiation: What Are Alpha and Beta Particles? 

Radioactive particles are present in rocks and soil, which usually serve as the path to enter groundwater. The two types of radioactive particles present in water are alpha and beta particles.

What Are Alpha Particles? 

Alpha particles consist of two protons and two neutrons. Common examples in water are radium-226, radon-222, uranium-238, polonium-210, and lead-206. Alpha particles cannot penetrate skin from the outside. However, when consumed, they are active inside your body and can cause damage.

Want to test for alpha particles? Take a look at this test: Alpha Radiation Water Test

What Are Beta Particles? 

Beta particles are radioactive particles made up of one electron or positron. Common examples in water are strontium-90 and potassium-40. Beta particles can penetrate the top layer of skin and cause burns. Beta particles likely cause more damage inside the body than alpha particles, as they have more energy and are smaller than their alpha counterpart. Subsequently, beta particles can therefore travel farther into body tissue than alpha particles can.

Testing for beta radiation? Beta Radiation Water Test

Can Water Be Radioactive? 

Yes–water can be radioactive. 

We are concerned about naturally occurring radiation and additional radioactive particles that enter water from rock formations near mining sites, nuclear power plants, or laboratories. 

Radon, in particular, occurs in gaseous form in soils and can dissolve into groundwater or enter homes as a gas through the basement. Exposure to radon in air is far more dangerous than radon in water. However, high levels of radon in drinking water may be indicative of elevated radon in air, and may be cause for concern. 

Can I Test Radioactivity in Water?

Yes! What’s more is you should test your water because unfortunately, there are no obvious signs of radioactive particles in drinking water. 

While  the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) sets standards for radionuclides for public drinking water systems, well water is entirely unregulated.[4] Additionally, well water has a much higher risk for radioactive contamination.

65% of wells tested as part of a national study contained radioactive radon at concentrations about the EPA recommended threshold of 300 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), according to a report conducted by USGS.[5]

From testing collections specifically designed for radiological concerns or broad panels for overall water quality health, Tap Score’s high-precision laboratory water testing packages can help diagnose any issues that may be lurking in your tap water.

Not sure what testing package to choose? Tap Score’s Full Radiation Water Test is the most popular way to test your water for alpha and beta particles from any source–such as radium, radon, uranium, strontium, and more. While each of these contaminants can be tested for specifically, the Full Radiation screening test is advised unless you already know that there is a specific problem. 

Full Radiation Water Test
Specialized
Full Radiation Water Test
2 Analytes Tested
$ 135.00


Even if there are radioactive particles found in your water, there is hope. Every Tap Score water test includes unbiased and personalized treatment recommendations based on what is detected in your water sample. Our team of treatment experts, chemists, and water quality engineers can walk you through how to treat your drinking water so that you know that what you are drinking is safe. 

How Do Radioactive Particles Affect My Health?

Unfortunately, the effects from radioactive particles in water can cause cancer and even be fatal. 

While our skin can protect us against alpha particles in the environment, exposure to radiation through water is particularly dangerous because radioactive elements damage tissues and organs.

Radioactive particles cause damage by breaking chemical bonds in molecules that can drastically alter our body’s ability to function. If a group of cells crucial to bodily function dies, the effects can be fatal.

After the bonds of normal cells in the body are broken, they release electrons. This can create a chain reaction that can eventually impact DNA molecules. Mutations are consequent to DNA damage, which lead to cancer. And, if germ (sex) cells are mutated, the cancer can be transmitted to children long after the initial exposure.

How Do I Remove Radioactive Particles from Water? 

Step one is to test your water.

Step two is to treat it. 

While there are many popular treatment technologies on the market, the type of treatment you choose depends on what type of radiation problem you have. There are two primary treatment options for radioactive particles in water–carbon filters and ion exchange:

Carbon filters are one option for removing radium and strontium from drinking water. However, if radon is also present the filter must be changed very frequently–carbon can adsorb radon and lead to higher radiation exposure if radon is left to build up. As radon particles accumulate, they may fall out of the filter and back into the water stream.

Ion exchange can be used to treat uranium. However, ion exchange creates backwash that contains high concentrations of radionuclides, which makes disposal a concern. Read more about how ion exchange technology works here.

Ultimately, the most suitable filtration device depends on what type of radiation problem you have. That’s why we always recommend you test your water BEFORE you treat it. Whether you are concerned about lead and arsenic, bacteria and pathogens, or radiation–knowing exactly what’s in your water is critical to choosing the best filtration system for your water’s unique chemistry. Different contaminants respond to treatment technology in various ways and there’s no real “one size fits all” solution. 

For our full range of Tap Score specialized tests: take a look here, as well as our broad testing packages for city and well water! 

Questions a bout radionuclides in water? Talk to our experts 

Why Trust Tap Score?

We know how confusing it can be to find advice on water quality and treatment you can trust. That’s part of the reason we made Tap Score—to help improve the way you test and treat your drinking water.

  • No affiliate links: Unlike most sites revolving around water quality, we do not take a cut from sales on filtration systems.
  • Unbiased advice: Our blog is independently researched by our team of water scientists and designed to provide clarity on water quality, not to sell treatment products.
  • Independent laboratory testing: Tap Score test results come from SimpleLab's third-party network of certified laboratories; in other words, accredited labs provide the data without conflicts of interest.
  • Continuously updated: Science never rests. That’s why our content always reflects the latest developments in scientific research and regulatory standards.
  • Always available: Our customer service team is the best in the industry and available anytime via chat to answer all your water quality questions.

 

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About The Author
Kate Wisialowski

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER


Kate leads operational strategy as COO at Tap Score and SimpleLab. She oversees daily, as well as long-term logistics for tens of thousands of environmental samples across hundreds of certified laboratories. However, she started her environmental testing career by way of scientific blog writing at Tap Score and it continues to be one of her favorite aspects of the business. Outside of Tap Score, Kate loves making homemade pasta, floral arranging, and singing along to Dolly Parton tunes.
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