What does gross alpha mean in water testing?
radioactivity
Gross Alpha is a test that is performed to measure the overall radioactivity in drinking water. Gross Alpha testing detects these alpha particles in the water and indicates the presence of radioactive substances, such as radium 224 and radium 226.
How long does a gross alpha test take?
The 48-hour rapid gross alpha test includes the alpha particle activity of radium-224, an isotope with a half-life of 3.64 days, which is not captured using the standard USEPA method 900.0.
What does gross alpha mean?
Gross Alpha is a measurement of combined alpha particle radioactivity from Radium & Uranium. Radioactive substances are those that are unstable in nature and emit radiation in a process called radioactive decay.
How does gross alpha get into water?
Gross alpha radiation, uranium and radium can get into your drinking water if your well is drilled into or near bedrock containing radioactive elements. The amount of gross alpha radiation in water varies because the Earth’s bedrock contains varying amounts of radioactive elements.
Does a water softener remove gross alpha?
Gross Alpha in groundwater can be removed by the use of a water softener (i.e. ion exchange) or reverse osmosis system. Softener systems must also be checked regularly to verify they are properly filtering the radium.
What is radium jaw?
Radium jaw, or radium necrosis, is a historic occupational disease brought on by the ingestion and subsequent absorption of radium into the bones of radium dial painters. Symptoms were present in the mouth due to use of the lips and tongue to keep the radium-paint paintbrushes properly shaped.
Does water softener remove gross alpha?
How do you remove radiation from drinking water?
Unfortunately, there is no simple answer for removing radiation from the water. In many cases, a combination of treatment methods, including carbon filtration, ion-exchange water softening, and reverse osmosis, is most effective. Call the Certified Water Specialists at US Water Systems at 1-800-608-8792 for assistance.
How can you tell if water is radioactive?
A gross alpha test is the first step in determining the level of radioactivity in drinking water. This test serves as a preliminary screening device and determines whether additional testing is advisable. A gross alpha test typically costs from $75 to $150.
How do you remove gross alpha from water?
Gross Alpha in groundwater can be removed by the use of a water softener (i.e. ion exchange) or reverse osmosis system. The type of system necessary to remove Gross Alpha particles will be based on the underlying constituent (i.e. radium, uranium) contributing to elevated Gross alpha activity.
Do Radium Girls Win lawsuit?
U.S. Radium settles In 1928, U.S. Radium settled the lawsuit, giving each of the women $10,000 plus $600 a year for as long as they continued to suffer from radium poisoning. The case of the radium girls ultimately led to the formation of the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
When did the last radium girl died?
2014
Workplace safety standards improved dramatically after women who worked with radium in the 1920s started suffering the toxic side effects.
Who are Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc.and what do they do?
Alpha Analytical Laboratories, Inc. is a premier California (ELAP certifications #1551, #2303, #2728 & #2922) analytical laboratory network, specializing in regulatory compliance analyses of waters, sediments and solids since 1975.
Where can I get a well water test?
Although several laboratories may be involved in testing your well water, you need only contact one. If necessary, they will enlist the services of other laboratories that are certified to collect and/or perform the tests they cannot conduct. Certified laboratories are not located in every county.
What are the alpha levels in drinking water?
Most drinking water sources have very low levels of alpha radiation and are not considered to be a health concern. Levels at or less than 5 pCi/ do not even require further testing. This level is comparable to having one x-ray.
What is the purpose of the gross alpha test?
Gross Alpha is a test that is performed to measure the overall radioactivity in drinking water.