Where It Comes From
Natural decay of uranium and thorium in rocks and soil; can concentrate in certain aquifers and in oil and gas production wastes [1][4].
How You Are Exposed
Mostly by drinking groundwater with elevated radium; smaller amounts from food; workers may inhale or ingest contaminated dusts [1][2][4].
Why It Matters
Long-term intake increases risk of bone and other cancers; EPA’s drinking water limit for combined radium is 5 picocuries per liter (pCi/L) [2][3].
Who Is at Risk
People using private wells in high‑radium areas; infants, children, and pregnant people (radium behaves like calcium in bones); workers handling scale/sludge in oil, gas, mining, or water treatment [1][4].
How to Lower Your Exposure
Test private wells; review your water system’s Consumer Confidence Report; if levels are high, use certified treatment such as ion exchange softening or reverse osmosis, or use alternative water sources [2].
References
- [1]ATSDR. ToxFAQs for Radium (Ra-226, Ra-228). https://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/toxfaqs/tfacts144.pdf
- [2]US EPA. National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Radionuclides. https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/national-primary-drinking-water-regulations#Radionuclides
- [3]IARC. Ionizing Radiation, Part 2: Some Internally Deposited Radionuclides (Vol. 78). https://publications.iarc.fr/102
- [4]US EPA. TENORM in Oil and Gas Production Wastes. https://www.epa.gov/radiation/tenorm-oil-and-gas-production-wastes