Multiyear Study of Radon Removal from Municipal and Single Home Potable Water Systems
Douglas Mose, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
James Metcalf, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA

Multiyear Study of Radon Removal from Municipal and Single Home Potable Water Systems

Douglas Mose and James Metcalf, George Mason University, 4400 University Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, Tel: 703-273-2282, Fax: 703-273-2282, Email: dje42@aol.com

Activated charcoal can remove contaminants such as radionuclides from potable water. In northern Virginia, a community water well normally producing about 17 million gallons of water per year plus many small homesite water wells used to produce potable water were used to study the monthly and seasonal variation in waterborne radon concentration. These wells were also used to study the ability of activated charcoal to capture the dissolved radon before it reaches the home occupants. In a recent study over several years, it was found that the percentage of radon removal was related to the volume of treated water, the type of activated charcoal, and the length of time that the charcoal was used. In brief, if sufficient activated charcoal was placed in the water treatment system, the removal of waterborne radon could reach 90 percent. While the intensity of radiation that escaped through the walls of the capture tanks was easily detected, estimates indicate that the health risk was minimal while the treatment tanks were operating, and during the replacement of the used and radioactive charcoal.

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