Radium: The radioactive
Radium is a kind of radioactive metal naturally found in the ground. It can be found in the soil, plant tissue, animal tissue, and bedrock. It is made when other elements, like uranium and thorium, break down or decay. This decay process happens in stages, where different kinds of radiation, like alpha, beta, and gamma, are released.
When radium breaks down, it releases alpha particles and turns into another substance called Radon-222 (Rn-222). More specifically - Radium itself doesn't decay into Radon-222 (Rn-222). It's more precise to say a specific isotope of radium, like Ra-226, decays via alpha emission into Rn-222. The most common radium isotope, Ra-226, which is part of the uranium-238 decay series. Radon-222 is a gas and can escape from the ground and into the air, where it poses a bigger health risk than radium itself. Similarly, when thorium breaks down, it eventually turns into Radium-228, which then changes into a different substance called Actinium-228 (Ac-228) by releasing beta particles. This whole process is part of what we call radioactive decay, where these elements change over time into other substances until they become stable. Exposure to radioactive substances is harmful for an extended period. A potential issue with groundwater occurs when radium in water contaminates it and increases the radioactive exposure.
Radium in water
Surface water typically contains low levels of radium, but the presence of radium in groundwater largely depends on the local geology, sometimes resulting in high concentrations of radium in water. Drinking water drawn from deep bedrock aquifers may contain higher values of Ra-226 and Ra-228, beyond the safe value of radionuclides in drinking water.
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Radionuclides Rule, safe drinking water should have these four federal standards:
- 5 pCi/L of combined radium 226/228 or less
- 15 picocuries of alpha particles per liter of water (pCi/L) or less
- 20 pCi/L of uranium or less
- 4 millirem or mrem of beta/photon emitters per year (mrem/yr) or less
Both private and public wells have been found to contain radium; however, it is difficult to see radium in water and other undetectable characteristics — tasteless and odorless. Without prior testing, it's advisable not to assume your water supply and source are free from radium contamination. Regular testing for radium in public water supplies is standard practice and should be performed periodically. Except in some medical treatments, there is no other widely recognized practical application for both radium and uranium. Contact your county water authority for a testing lab or use a home Full Laboratory Water Test kit.
Health effects of radium exposure
Radium in water can be responsible for health risks when consumed through drinking or cooking. Upon ingestion, only a tiny fraction of radium is absorbed by the body from the digestive tract, with the remainder being eliminated unchanged. Some of the absorbed radium is excreted through urine, while the rest, behaving similarly to calcium, are stored in body tissues, particularly in bones.
External exposure to radium radiation through activities like showering or washing doesn’t pose a health hazard, as alpha particles emitted by radium cannot pass through the skin. However, internally deposited radium emits alpha particles, potentially causing harm to surrounding skin tissues.
Radium-226 and Radium-228 are recognized as carcinogens or cancer-causing agents. Exposure to radiation from these radium isotopes has been linked to various health issues, including anemia, skin and blood disorders, osteoporosis, cataracts, kidney and liver diseases, and a weakened immune system.
Testing for radium contamination
Though the public water supplier follows periodic testing to identify radium contamination in the water, one can also go for separate testing. The Gross Alpha Particles test serves as a means to gaze at the overall radioactivity contamination in water by detecting alpha particles.
This test effectively identifies radioactive particles like radium-226, radon, uranium-238, plutonium-236, and polonium-210. Alpha particles possess high energy but swiftly lose their energy as they move. The established Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for gross alpha is set at 30 µg/L.
If there is a concern regarding exposure to radium in drinking water, seeking advice from a medical expert is advisable. Urine tests can help determine potential radium exposure. In such a case, one should immediately seek professional medical care for treatment.
Radium treatment techniques
Radium in water can be removed by several different treatment techniques, including Reverse Osmosis (RO), distillation, ion exchange (water softening), and lime softening. However, primary Reverse Osmosis (RO) and whole house filters (using activated carbon and or catalytic carbon) are preferable methods.
Reverse Osmosis (RO)
Reverse Osmosis (RO) technology is highly efficient, eliminating approximately 99% of of radium and uranium, along with various inorganic compounds when used as directed. The RO system is designed to purify water sources like tap water, and well water by eliminating salts, dissolved solids (TDS), and other significant impurities.
Home Master TMHP Hydro Perfection Reverse Osmosis System is one of the promising RO systems that use a 9-stage filtration process involving filtration, purification, sterilization, and enhancement that effectively remove nearly 99% of thousands of contaminants and microorganisms present in water. It comes with a fully assembled DIY kit, ready for straightforward installation. If you are seeking whole house water systems, you can call the Home Master expert to get help designing your customized water filter.
Ion exchange (Water Softener)
This ion exchange method is widely used to eliminate contaminants; radium and uranium are absorbed by the resin bed and exchanged for safer compounds. These substances are extracted from the media through regeneration to prevent accumulation and are concentrated in the brine. If the liquid waste from radium and uranium removal adheres to decided local limits, it can be safely discharged into a sanitary sewer and get safe water.
Conclusion
With the above methods, we can understand that removing radium from drinking water is essential for health and safety. Using various effective methods like reverse osmosis (RO) and ion exchange ensures the standard healthy water quality and public health.