Radium in Ground Water from Public-Water Supplies in Northern Illinois
Links
- Document: Report (300 kB pdf)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Concentrations of the naturally occurring radioactive isotopes radium-226 and radium-228 in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standard for drinking water of 5 picocuries per liter have been detected in water from deep aquifers used for public supply that underly parts of northern Illinois. Radium, a known carcinogen, has the potential to cause bone and sinus cancer if ingested in sufficient amounts. This Fact Sheet briefly describes the formation and decay of radium, the health risks associated with radium ingestion, procedures for testing radium concentrations in water, and the occurrence of radium in ground water used for public-water supplies in northern Illinois and provides information on technologies that can reduce the amount of radium in drinking water.
Suggested Citation
Kay, R.T., 1999, Radium in ground water from public-water supplies in northern Illinois: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 137–99, 4 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/fs13799.
ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)
Table of Contents
- What is radium and why is it present in ground water?
- Why is radium in drinking water of concern?
- What level of radium in drinking water constitutes a health risk?
- How are public-water supplies monitored for radium?
- What is the extent of elevated radium in water from aquifers used for public-water supply in Illinois?
- How can I reduce the amount of radium in my drinking water?
- Suggestions for Further Reading
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Radium in ground water from public-water supplies in northern Illinois |
| Series title | Fact Sheet |
| Series number | 137-99 |
| DOI | 10.3133/fs13799 |
| Year Published | 1999 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | Illinois Water Science Center |
| Description | 4 p. |
| Google Analytic Metrics | Metrics page |