National Drinking Water Database
Radium-226 in Massachusetts
Radium-226 is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits. [read more]
The Most Polluted Communities in Massachusetts
138 water utilities reported detecting Radium-226 in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Radium-226 level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swansea Water District Swansea, MA | 17,349 | 9 of 9 | 2.91 pCi/L (0.71 to 4.7 pCi/L) |
| 2 | Charlton Housing Authority Charlton, MA | 50 | 13 of 13 | 2.25 pCi/L (1.3 to 3.63 pCi/L) |
| 3 | Hillcrest Water District Leicester, MA | 1,500 | 22 of 22 | 2.15 pCi/L (0.05 to 3.2 pCi/L) |
| 4 | Wampus Avenue Apartments Acton, MA | 70 | 5 of 5 | 1.64 pCi/L (1.3 to 2.1 pCi/L) |
| 5 | Strawberry Hill Apartments Acton, MA | 95 | 1 of 1 | 1.55 pCi/L (1.55 pCi/L) |
| 6 | Mount ST Marys Abbey Wrentham, MA | 60 | 21 of 21 | 1.5 pCi/L (0.48 to 2.7 pCi/L) |
| 7 | Middleborough Water Supply Middleborough, MA | 20,386 | 1 of 1 | 1.35 pCi/L (1.35 pCi/L) |
| 8 | Stafford Heights Apartments Charlton, MA | 80 | 4 of 4 | 1.3 pCi/L (1 to 1.6 pCi/L) |
| 9 | Lake Grove School Wendell, MA | 125 | 15 of 15 | 1.27 pCi/L (0.55 to 1.96 pCi/L) |
| 10 | Ashmere Water Service Hinsdale, MA | 66 | 2 of 2 | 1.25 pCi/L (0.14 to 2.36 pCi/L) |
Health Based Limits for Radium-226
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG) | A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 0 pCi/L |
| California Public Health Goals | Defined by the State of California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) as the level of contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. For acutely toxic substances, levels are set at which scientific evidence indicates that no known or anticipated adverse effects on health will occur, plus an adequate margin-of safety. PHGs for carcinogens or other substances which can cause chronic disease shall be based solely on health effects without regard to cost impacts and shall be set at levels which OEHHA has determined do not pose any significant risk to health. | 0.05 pCi/L |
| Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) | The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 5 pCi/L |
| Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) | The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 5 pCi/L |
Violation Summary for Radium-226 in Massachusetts
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards in Massachusetts since 2004
| Violation Type | Number of Violations |
|---|---|
| Failure to monitor regularly | 11 |