Radon in Potable Water
The effects of radon if ingested are similarly unknown, although studies have found that its biological half-life ranges from 30–70 minutes, with 90 percent removal at 100 minutes. In 1999 National Research Council investigated the issue of radon in drinking water. The risks associated with ingestion was considered almost negligible.
As well as being ingested through drinking water, radon is also released from water when temperature is increased, pressure is decreased and when water is aerated. Optimum conditions for radon release and exposure occur during showering. Water with a radon concentration of 10 4 pCi/L can increase the indoor airborne radon concentration by 1 pCi/L under normal conditions of water use.
Radon concentrations in air may be high in plants with large pools of groundwater, such as treatment plants for drinking water.
Read more about this topic: Radon, Health Risks
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