Reduce Risks of Waterborne Radon MMM Programs and Treatment Plans

The Benefits of State MMM Programs

In order to be accepted, the MMM (Multimedia Mitigation Plan) must have had input from the public, actual measurements for lowering the radon levels, strategies, and a set plan to verify all results.

Each state has the option to develop an MMM program of its own. Although radon is to be limited to 4.0 picoCuries per liter (pCi/L) in the air, it’s limited to 4,000 pCi/L in water—when an MMM program is in use.

An MMM program focuses on raising awareness to the health risks from radon exposure, whether airborne or waterborne. If the airborne risks are controlled and understood through radon testing and radon abatement, then it’s believed that the effects from radon will be predominantly reduced, even before touching the radon in the water.

If a state chooses against developing an MMM program, then the responsibility is placed on the individual water systems to reduce radon in their respective systems. These individual systems will need to limit their waterborne radon to 300 pCi/L. Or, if they themselves develop MMM programs, then the waterborne radon can be limited to 4,000 pCi/L.

Waterborne Radon Treatment Systems and Filters

The best way to protect your family against the effects of waterborne radon is to attack the source. By using point-of-entry treatment, you can actually remove the radon from the water before it even makes it way into your home. There are two categories of point-of-entry treatment: granular activated carbon (GAC) filters and aeration devices. Let’s investigate these treatments and see which works best for you.

Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) Filters

Filter systems are installed on the outside of a home and use activated carbon to remove the radon from the water. Once the carbon is increased or activated, it can attract the dissolved contaminants, trap them, and filter them through the GAC. There are in fact two varieties of the GAC system: whole-house filters/point of entry, and point of use filters.

Whole-House Filters or Point of Entry: Oftentimes, this filter is installed where it can treat the water before it reaches any of your appliances or other fixtures that utilize water. It’s up to you to cleanse the outside water faucets. Typically these systems have two or more filters. Make sure to maintenance your system and keep it up to date.

Point of Use Filters: This filter is installed on your faucet’s pipe and purifies the water before it gets used. In most cases, there will be two faucets, one with untreated water and one with treated water. There are also GAC filters in some refrigerator icemakers. In addition, pitchers can be bought that use GAC filters to purify tap water before drinking. Unfortunately, some experts believe these GAC are sometimes considered to be less effective and reliable in reducing radon in water.

Aeration Devices