Waterborne radon

[Field@amrf-po.pmeh.uiowa.edu]

          The general rule of thumb for the contribution of waterborne
          radon to indoor radon is 10,000 pCi/L of radon in water
          contributes about 1 pCi/L of indoor radon in air.
          Activities like showering or dishwashing may decrease
          the water to air transfer ratio for short periods,
          especially in poorly ventilated areas of the home, such as
          bathrooms.

          In may be of interest to note that in Iowa the highest
          waterborne radon concentrations are attributed to radium
          which becomes adsorbed onto iron pipe scale in the water
          distribution systems.  I have seen radon concentrations of
          10 pCi/L in water leaving the treatment
          plant and by the time the water reaches the home the
          waterborne radon concentration is 10,000 pCi/L.

         Bill Field


        
        R. William Field, Ph.D.
        University of Iowa
        bill-field@uiowa.edu