How do I know if there is radon in my drinking water?

Radon exists as a gas in soil. Therefore, it sometimes is present in underground water sources. Inhaling high levels of radon over long periods of time, which is possible when consistently showering in radon-infested water, can increase the risk of lung cancer. To test for radon in your drinking water, contact a water-testing lab. Look under "Water Analysis" in the Yellow Pages for a lab near you, or contact your state or local health department. Some local health departments test private well water for free. Look under the government listings in your phone book for this number. If you call a water-testing lab, be sure it is certified by the state you reside in. You may call your State Certification Officer to get a list of certified water testing labs in your state. For more information on radon, call the National Safety Council's Radon Hotline at 800-55-RADON, or EPA's Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. Home Page | FAQs | Glossary | Contact Us