Radium in North Carolina Drinking Water — 131 Violat...
EPA data analysis for radium in North Carolina drinking water systems
Radium Contamination in North Carolina
ZipCheckup analyzed EPA enforcement records across 1,085 ZIP codes in North Carolina. 131 ZIP codes have radium-related violations on record.
The violation rate for radium in North Carolina is 12.1% of all ZIP codes — higher than the national average.
EPA Standard for Radium
The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for radium is 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228), governed by the Radionuclides Rule. Water systems that exceed this limit must take corrective action and notify consumers.
Health Effects of Radium
Radium is a radioactive element that increases cancer risk, particularly bone cancer. It accumulates in bones because the body treats it like calcium. The EPA estimates that drinking water with 5 pCi/L of radium over a lifetime poses a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk.
How to Remove Radium From Drinking Water
The most effective treatment for radium removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified under NSF 58 standards.
Check Your ZIP Code
Use the ZipCheckup water quality search to see radium data for your specific water system in North Carolina.
Cities with Radium Data in North Carolina
6 cities in North Carolina have radium testing data available.