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Naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water: An exercise in risk benefit analysis
1Office of Drinking Water (WH-550), US Environmental Protection Agency, 20460, Washington, DC, USA.
Environmental Geochemistry and Health
|November 9, 2013
Summary
Naturally occurring radionuclides like radium, uranium, and radon in public drinking water pose health risks, including lung and bone cancer. Mitigation costs vary, with radon reduction being particularly expensive.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Radiological Protection
Background:
- Naturally occurring radionuclides (radon, radium, uranium) are present in public drinking water supplies.
- These radionuclides pose significant health risks, including lung cancer from radon inhalation and bone cancer from radium and uranium ingestion.
- Understanding their occurrence, measurement, and health effects is crucial for public safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the occurrence and health risks of naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water.
- To assess the economic consequences and treatment costs for reducing radionuclide levels.
- To evaluate strategies for risk reduction and cost-effectiveness.
Main Methods:
- Data analysis of radionuclide occurrence in 60,000 public drinking water supplies.
- Calculation of estimated lifetime cancer risks based on mean groundwater concentrations.
- Economic assessment of treatment costs for reducing radium, uranium, and radon levels.
Main Results:
- Radon, radium, and uranium occur in drinking water at measurable concentrations (e.g., radon 500-600 pCi L(-1)).
- Estimated lifetime risks vary, with radon posing the highest risk (4.0 × 10(-4)).
- Significant costs are associated with reducing radionuclide levels, with comparable expenditures for radium, radon, or uranium mitigation.
Conclusions:
- Naturally occurring radionuclides in drinking water present a public health concern requiring risk management.
- Radon poses the most significant lifetime cancer risk among the studied radionuclides.
- Cost-effective strategies for radionuclide reduction need careful consideration due to substantial treatment expenses.
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