Radium, combined (-226 and -228)
City of Alexandria Water System
Radium is a radioactive element that causes bone cancer and other cancers. It can occur naturally in groundwater, and oil and gas extraction activities such as hydraulic fracturing can elevate concentrations. Read More.
Radium releases radioactive particles that harm health in many ways, causing tumors in bone, lungs and other organs; leukemia; and skin and blood damage. Water utilities typically report radium amounts in picocuries per liter (pCi/L), which is a measure of radioactivity in water. The two most common forms of radium are radium-226 and radium-228. They may be reported separately or together.
Federal law allows up to 5 picocuries per liter of combined radium-226 and radium-228 in tap water. Research by the U.S. Geological Survey shows that in some regions of the country, such as the mid-continental region and North Atlantic coastal region, more than 20 percent of sampled wells have radium in levels exceeding the federal drinking water limit. And the legal limit does not equate safety: The EPA estimates that one in every 10,000 people drinking water containing radium at this level would develop cancer over a lifetime.
California set a public health goal much lower than the federal limit – 0.05 picocuries per liter of radium-226 and 0.019 picocuries per liter of radium-228, concentrations that are lower than the detection limit for most water tests.
Samples
Samples exceeding legal limit (MCL)
Samples exceeding
health guidelines
Testing results - average by year
| Year | Average result | Samples taken | Detections | Range of results |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | N/A | 0 | 0 | N/A |
| 2019 | 0.24 pCi/L | 110 | 31 | ND - 1.97 pCi/L |
| 2020 | 0.31 pCi/L | 18 | 6 | ND - 1.57 pCi/L |
| 2021 | ND | 9 | 0 | ND |
| 2022 | 0.08 pCi/L | 109 | 15 | ND - 1.39 pCi/L |
| 2023 | 0.30 pCi/L | 33 | 11 | ND - 1.55 pCi/L |
pCi/L = picocuries per liter
State, National, and Health Guidelines for Drinking Water
EWG Health Guideline: 0.05 pCi/L
EWG applied the health guideline of 0.05 pCi/L, defined by the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment as a public health goal for radium-226, to radium-226 and radium-228 combined. This health guideline protects against cancer.
EPA Maximum Contaminant
Level (MCL): 5 pCi/L
The legal limit for combined radium-226 and radium-228, established in 1976, was based on costs for radium removal, as calculated at the time that the standard was set. This limit does not fully protect against the risk of cancer due to radium exposure.
pCi/L = picocuries per liter
All test results
| Date | Lab ID | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470001 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470002 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470003 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470004 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470005 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470001 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470002 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470003 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470004 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 35445470005 | ND |
| 2019-01-30 | 2317171-01 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987001 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987002 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987003 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987004 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987005 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987001 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987002 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987003 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987004 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 35446987005 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 2020-04-085DW.3 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 2020-12-266DW.1 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 2102800-01 | ND |
| 2019-02-06 | 2203-01613-001 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250001 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250002 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250003 | 0.73 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250004 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250005 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250001 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250002 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250003 | 0.73 pCi/L |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250004 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 35451250005 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 2102798-01 | ND |
| 2019-02-27 | 2203119-01 | ND |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676001 | 0.66 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676002 | ND |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676003 | 0.28 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676004 | 0.88 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676001 | 0.66 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676002 | ND |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676003 | 0.28 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-13 | 35454676004 | 0.88 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-13 | 2106-01096-003 | ND |
| 2019-03-13 | 2107-00592-003 | 0.28 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260001 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260002 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260003 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260004 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260005 | 1.01 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260001 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260002 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260003 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260004 | ND |
| 2019-03-20 | 35456260005 | 1.01 pCi/L |
| 2019-03-20 | L2246338-01 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693001 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693002 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693003 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693004 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693005 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693001 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693002 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693003 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693004 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | 35457693005 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | S010423E2 | ND |
| 2019-03-27 | S050421F3 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050001 | 0.71 pCi/L |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050002 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050003 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050004 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050005 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050001 | 0.71 pCi/L |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050002 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050003 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050004 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 35461050005 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 2100902-01 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 2115432-01 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 2117190-01 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 2213147-01 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 2214203-01 | ND |
| 2019-04-10 | 221618.01-TSO | ND |
| 2019-06-06 | 35473878001 | 1.64 pCi/L |
| 2019-06-06 | 35473878002 | 0.47 pCi/L |
| 2019-06-06 | 35473878003 | 0.83 pCi/L |
| 2019-06-06 | 35473878001 | 1.64 pCi/L |
| 2019-06-06 | 35473878002 | 0.47 pCi/L |
| 2019-06-06 | 35473878003 | 0.83 pCi/L |
| 2019-07-25 | 35485311001 | ND |
| 2019-07-25 | 35485311001 | ND |
| 2019-09-11 | 35497727001 | 0.78 pCi/L |
| 2019-09-11 | 35497727002 | ND |
| 2019-09-11 | 35497727003 | ND |
| 2019-09-11 | 35497727001 | 0.78 pCi/L |
| 2019-09-11 | 35497727002 | ND |
| 2019-09-11 | 35497727003 | ND |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733001 | 0.37 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733002 | 0.69 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733003 | 0.99 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733004 | 0.98 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733005 | 1.97 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733001 | 0.37 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733002 | 0.69 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733003 | 0.99 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733004 | 0.98 pCi/L |
| 2019-12-04 | 35516733005 | 1.97 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-26 | 35539990001 | ND |
| 2020-03-26 | 35539990002 | 1.57 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-26 | 2021422-POINT OF ENTRY POST TR | ND |
| 2020-03-26 | 2021428-RAW WATER: SHABOKIN RE | ND |
| 2020-03-26 | 202155-POINT OF ENTRY | 1.57 pCi/L |
| 2020-03-26 | 2021615-WELL #9 | ND |
| 2020-06-17 | 35557855001 | ND |
| 2020-06-17 | 35557855002 | 0.41 pCi/L |
| 2020-06-17 | 2021426-RAW: GREEN ST. BEDROCK | 0.41 pCi/L |
| 2020-06-17 | 2021512-BEAVER BROOK WTP EFFLU | ND |
| 2020-06-17 | 2021512-HINGHAM ANIMAL CLINIC | ND |
| 2020-06-17 | 2021618-RAW WATER: WELL 2 | ND |
| 2020-10-01 | 35582119001 | ND |
| 2020-10-01 | 202142-RAW WATER: WEST ST. WEL | ND |
| 2020-10-01 | 202146-RUN HILL ROAD GP WELL # | ND |
| 2020-11-09 | 35590775001 | 0.83 pCi/L |
| 2020-11-09 | 2021518-OLD LOC. NO.-SARGENT W | ND |
| 2020-11-09 | 2021623-MEMORIAL BEACH WTP (FI | 0.83 pCi/L |
| 2021-01-26 | 35607688001 | ND |
| 2021-01-26 | 2021101-CONANT WELL: AFTER TRE | ND |
| 2021-01-26 | 20211118-DRAPER RD WELL #2 - R | ND |
| 2021-05-05 | 35631373001 | ND |
| 2021-05-05 | 20211013-NEWMAN WELL 1R (09G) | ND |
| 2021-05-05 | 2021106-WESTFIELD RD WTP POST | ND |
| 2021-07-14 | 35647771001 | ND |
| 2021-07-14 | 2021107-EAST DEDHAM FIRE STATI | ND |
| 2021-07-14 | 20211216-FINISHED WATER | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 35689594001 | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 35689594002 | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 35689594003 | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 202275-SEEKONK WATER TREATMENT | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 202276-WELL # 1 | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 2022811-FAUNCE - 16 GREEN ST. | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 2022822-WELL # 2 | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 2022824-CROOKED SPRING WTP - F | ND |
| 2022-01-04 | 202296-GP WELL # 5 | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 35691868001 | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 35691868002 | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 35691868003 | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 35691868004 | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 35691868005 | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 2022720-WELL #8 & WELL #9 (09G | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 2022721-WELL #6 | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 2022726-RAW WATER: WELL #1 JER | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 2022815-HORN POND WTP - RAW WA | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 202282-OLD LOC. NO.--SPRINGVAL | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 202282-RITA MILLER SCHOOL | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 2022824-CROOKED SPRING WTP - F | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 202283-EAST ST. WTP (BLEND): A | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 2022920-PLAIN ST FILTRATION PL | ND |
| 2022-01-19 | 202298-LINCOLN ST. WELL #1 | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 35694848001 | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 35694848002 | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 35694848003 | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 35694848004 | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 35694848005 | 1.39 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-02 | 2022718-STA # 2 | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 2022719-BUILDING 1 POINT OF EN | 0.65 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-02 | 2022719-TREATED WATER 01G/03G | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 2022721-WELL #9 | 0.74 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-02 | 2022725-REPLACEMENT WELL #3 | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 202275-NEW LAWRENCE WTP - FINI | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 2022817-WEST PEABODY WTP - (2S | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 2022825-FINISHED: WELL #5 RAWS | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 202283-CATE SPRINGS TREATMENT | ND |
| 2022-02-02 | 202296-WPFP LAB SINK | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 35699545001 | 0.83 pCi/L |
| 2022-02-23 | 35699545002 | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 35699545003 | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 35699545004 | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 35699545005 | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 2022712-WELL #2 RAW WATER | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 2022715-LAKE MIRIMICHI WELLS 1 | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 2022722-WELLESLEY AVE. WTP | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 202282-RUNTAL CO.-WARD HILL 3 | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 2022830-POINT OF ENTRY POST TR | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 202289-COLLEGE HIGHWAY PUMPING | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 202289-GP WELL # 2 | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 2022913-GUSHEE POND TREATMENT | ND |
| 2022-02-23 | 2022921-TONKA INFLUENT FOR GAC | 0.83 pCi/L |
| 2022-03-09 | 35703385001 | 0.45 pCi/L |
| 2022-03-09 | 35703385002 | ND |
| 2022-03-09 | 35703385003 | 0.32 pCi/L |
| 2022-03-09 | 35703385004 | ND |
| 2022-03-09 | 2022714-FINISHED: BLACKSTONE S | 0.45 pCi/L |
| 2022-03-09 | 202275-MAPLE SPRINGS PLANT | 0.32 pCi/L |
| 2022-03-09 | 202276-WELL 21 AND 22 | ND |
| 2022-03-09 | 202282-LUDLOW MONITORING STATI | ND |
| 2022-03-09 | 202282-W.T.P. - FINISHED WATE | ND |
| 2022-03-09 | 2022831-BUILDING 2808 | ND |
| 2022-03-09 | 2022920-PLAIN ST FILTRATION PL | ND |
| 2022-03-09 | 202299-CLEVELAND WTP POST TREA | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 35704974001 | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 35704974002 | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 35704974003 | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 35704974004 | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 35704974005 | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 202275-MAPLE SPRINGS PLANT | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 202275-NEW LAWRENCE WTP - FINI | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 202276-CAMBRIDGE WTP - FINISH | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 202276-WELL # 1 | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 2022810-CITY HALL | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 202283-CLARK STREET POINT OF E | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 2022913-WASHINGTON PLANT | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 2022920-MILL POND WTP - (01S,0 | ND |
| 2022-03-16 | 202296-CHAPIN STREET PUMPING S | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 35733720001 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 35733720002 | 0.43 pCi/L |
| 2022-07-18 | 35733720003 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 35733720004 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 35733720005 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 35733720006 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 2022712-GP WELL # 2 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 2022715-LAKE MIRIMICHI WELLS 1 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 2022719-WELL #4 | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 2022725-ELM ST. WATER TREATMEN | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 202281-FIRESTONE TIRE, 95 HIGH | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 2022819-PLEASANT MARKET - 2 RI | 0.43 pCi/L |
| 2022-07-18 | 202283-OLD LOC. NO.-SARGENT WT | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 202291-OLD SALEM ST. WF - RAW | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 202296-WALSH (COOLIDGE) WTP - | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 202297-WATER TREATMENT PLANT | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 202298-GRAVELLY POND W.T.P. | ND |
| 2022-07-18 | 202299-CRYSTAL LUMBER - 76 FOU | ND |
| 2022-09-13 | 35747194001 | 0.81 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-13 | 35747194002 | ND |
| 2022-09-13 | 2022725-ELM ST. WATER TREATMEN | ND |
| 2022-09-13 | 202282-LELAND FARMS WELL, FINI | 0.81 pCi/L |
| 2022-09-13 | 202283-BUTTERS ROW #2 - RAW WA | ND |
| 2022-09-13 | 2022926-WELLS #1 & #2 - FINISH | ND |
| 2022-11-30 | 35763531001 | 0.42 pCi/L |
| 2022-11-30 | 35763531002 | ND |
| 2022-11-30 | 2022713-RAW WATER #6.1 HOME FA | 0.42 pCi/L |
| 2022-11-30 | 2022718-STA # 4 | ND |
| 2022-11-30 | 202275-WELL #1 AND #2 | ND |
| 2022-11-30 | 2022915-RAYMOND RD WTP-EFFLUEN | ND |
| 2023-02-06 | 35778643001 | ND |
| 2023-02-06 | 35778643002 | ND |
| 2023-02-06 | 202351-WATER TREATMENT PLANT | ND |
| 2023-02-06 | 2023516-RAW: QUINAPOXET WELL # | ND |
| 2023-02-06 | 2023523-FINISHED: WASHINGTON S | ND |
| 2023-02-06 | 2023531-D'ANGELIS: POST GAC VE | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 35803597001 | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 35803597002 | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 35803597003 | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 2023411-MIDPOINT: CHESTNUT (PO | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 2023425-RAW WATER: WELL #2 | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 202346-FINISHED:HOLBROOK ST. W | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 202351-W.T.P. - FINISHED WATE | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 2023531-PLANT 579 OLD WESTPORT | ND |
| 2023-05-30 | 2023614-MEMORIAL FILTRATION PL | ND |
| 2023-07-31 | 35817947001 | 0.91 pCi/L |
| 2023-07-31 | 35817947002 | 1.12 pCi/L |
| 2023-07-31 | 35817947003 | 1.17 pCi/L |
| 2023-07-31 | 2023411-WELL #2 POST TREATMENT | 0.91 pCi/L |
| 2023-07-31 | 2023419-FINISHED:HOLBROOK ST. | 1.17 pCi/L |
| 2023-07-31 | 202343-SHAWSHEEN AVE - RAW WAT | ND |
| 2023-07-31 | 202343-WTP FINISHED (1S,3S,5S, | ND |
| 2023-07-31 | 2023530-LUDLOW MONITORING STAT | ND |
| 2023-07-31 | 202367-SCHOOL ST. WELL | 1.12 pCi/L |
| 2023-11-27 | 35844910001 | 1.55 pCi/L |
| 2023-11-27 | 35844910002 | 0.25 pCi/L |
| 2023-11-27 | 35844910003 | ND |
| 2023-11-27 | 2023419-POINT OF ENTRY POST TR | 0.72 pCi/L |
| 2023-11-27 | 202343-FINISHED: ENTRY POINT ( | 0.25 pCi/L |
| 2023-11-27 | 202344-POINT OF ENTRY | ND |
| 2023-11-27 | 202344-SECOND DIVISION GP WELL | 0.83 pCi/L |
| 2023-11-27 | 2023616-RAW: REPLACEMENT WELL | ND |
| 2023-11-27 | 2023626-BRAINTREE WTP - FINISH | ND |