OCCURRENCE AND IMPACT OF RADON IN DRINKING WATER
Radon is a naturally-occurring radioactive gas that may cause cancer, and may be found in drinking water and indoor air. Radon is a colorless, tasteless, odorless, radioactive gas. It occurs naturally and is produced by the breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It can also dissolve into our water supply. High levels of dissolved radon are found in the groundwater in some areas flowing through granite or granitic sand and gravel formations. Groundwater accounts for 44% of the total used water resources in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). There was a significant drop in groundwater levels of about 10 meters per decade until the mid-1990s, and 70 meters since then. The UAE is currently using groundwater reserves more than 20 times faster than they can be recharged. A recent study conducted groundwater sample collection in 62 wells across UAE and analyzed for TDS and Radon. The results indicate that there were some higher concentrations in carbonate aquifers than sandstone aquifers, whereas distribution of TDS looks in reverse direction to Radon. Assessment of the Radon and TDS data shows that the Radon concentrations are within the WHO permissible limits for drinking water.
Some people who are exposed to radon in drinking water may have increased risk of getting cancer over the course of their lifetime, especially lung cancer. Because radon is relatively insoluble in water, water use releases radon into the indoor air and contributes to the total indoor-airborne radon concentration. Ingestion of radon in water may also pose a direct health risk through irradiation of sensitive cells in the gastrointestinal tract and other organs once it is absorbed into the bloodstream. Thus, radon in drinking water could potentially produce adverse health effects in addition to lung cancer.
POINT OF ENTRY DEVICES FOR RADON REMOVAL/TREATMENT
Radon is a highly volatile contaminant and thus poses an inhalation or contact exposure risk at untreated taps (e.g. showerheads). Therefore point-of-use devices installed at the kitchen faucet would not prove effective in radon removal and protect the consumer from the associated risks. Hence, point-of-entry devices are mainly used to remove radon. GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) filtration is the most effective technology to be implemented for radon removal.
The 3M™ Aqua-Pure™ Whole House Water Filtration Systems are one the latest innovation in whole house water filtration systems from the leading water filtration system manufacturers – 3M. The AP900 series offers three levels of filtration for great tasting water throughout the house with easy change out replacement cartridges from 3M’s proprietary sanitary quick change (SQC) style heads. The filters provide a great flow rate of 20 gallons per minute or 75.7 liters per minute. The high flow rate feature makes the whole house filter systems a great choice for all domestic water requirements such as cooking, drinking, showering, dishwashing, and laundry. The filters are highly efficient in removing particulate, rust, chlorine taste and odor, and scale deposition from hard water. The filters have a 5.0-micron rating and a capacity of 100,000 gallons or 378,500 liters that lasts approximately one-year.
The AP900 series have a 304 stainless steel head that allows for “sweat-in-place” installation and are made of corrosion resistant material. The filter assembly comes with an electric countdown timer to help remind the homeowner cartridge replacement. The filter cartridge incorporates carbon block filtration with a non-woven pleat media and a scale inhibition media.
Periodic backwashing of the filter cartridges should be conducted as part of maintenance procedures. Replacement of spent media and particulate pre-filters should be considered when filter cartridges reach breakthrough meaning concentration of contaminants in the effluent is more than that in the influent.
Whole-house water filtration systems provide an overall cost-effective, long term, and low maintenance treatment solution for clean drinking water. The AP900 series from 3M offer all the above features and the additional brand value from trusted 3M manufacturers.
Sani Water is one of the exclusive suppliers and consultants for 3M™ Water Filtration Products. Sani Water can help their customers with suitable recommendations for organic matter removal and to resolve taste and odor issues. The technicians can also help with installation of the recommended filter products. Sani Water is dedicated to offer best solutions to meet the drinking water requirements of their customers.
REFERENCES
-
- Hopke, P. K., Borak, T. B., Doull, J., Cleaver, J. E., Eckerman, K. F., Gundersen, L. C. S., … & McKone, T. E. (2000). Health risks due to radon in drinking water.
- https://www.cdc.gov/healthywater/drinking/private/wells/disease/radon.html
- https://water-research.net/index.php/radon
- https://water.fanack.com/uae/water-quality/
- https://library.seg.org/doi/10.1190/iceg2019-049.1
- https://archive.epa.gov/water/archive/web/html/index-9.html#:~:text=Radon%20is%20a%20naturally%2Doccurring,their%20lifetime%2C%20especially%20lung%20cancer.
- https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/all-3m-products/?N=5002385+8709322+8709409+8740556+8740542+8711017+3294857497&rt=r3
