Well Water Nerd

Radium (226 + 228) in Maine well water

In Maine, <1% of 112 tested private well samples exceeded the EPA limit for radium (226 + 228) (5 pCi/L).

Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal in bedrock. It accumulates in bone and raises the risk of bone cancer. It occurs in the same granite areas as uranium and radon.

Sources

  • Individual samples from the USGS Water Quality Portal and state monitoring, summarized per geography. radium (226 + 228) counts and shares are listed on each county and town page with their sources.