Radium Removal and Your Drinking Water
Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that is present in varying amounts in rocks and soil within the earth’s crust. Small amounts of radium also can be found in groundwater supplies. Radium is formed when uranium and thorium undergo radioactive decay in the environment. Radium is constantly being produced by radioactive decay. Deeper wells generally have higher levels of radium while shallow wells and surface water typically have lower levels of radium. Radium emits energy in the form of alpha particles and gamma rays. Radium decays into radon over time. If you are worried about radium removal from your drinking water Kinetico has the XP water softening system certified for the removal radium
What are the health effects of radium?
Exposure to Radium over a period of many years may result in an increased risk of some types of cancer, particularly lung and bone cancer. Higher doses of Radium have been shown to cause effects on the blood, eyes, teeth, and bones. If you fear you have radium in your drinking water contact Quality Water Northwest for a water assessment to determine your need for radium removal.
Radium and Alpha Particle Removal methods
Kinetico has two radium removal systems that are used for residential application in homes with radium contamination.
- Cation or whole-house water softening system
- Point of use Reverse Osmosis for drinking and cooking water. Kinetico RO systems will reduce levels of contaminates to well below the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) and, in most cases, leaves contaminates undetectable. An RO faucet is added to the kitchen sink and the refrigerator, when applicable.