How to Remove Radiation from Water (+ Best Filters for Removing Radiation )

If you’re trying to purify water that has come into contact with radioactive materials, You can basically take four different routes.

1. Reverse osmosis. This is the water purification method that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends for removing radiation from water. It’s also very effective in removing other contaminants such as fluoride, chloramine, and chlorine. This is a proven method for handling different types of radioactive particles. Reverse osmosis works best for radium, uranium, alpha and beta particles, and photon emitters. The method removes up to 99% of these radionuclides.
2. Ion-exchange. You can rely on ion-exchange to eliminate radioactive particles from drinking water. Ion-Exchange is used in water softeners to eliminate contaminants through a process of ionizing. Particularly, this method is recommended for eliminating Cesium-137. However, this contaminant has only been found in rainwater in the United States as opposed to drinking water.
3. Activated carbon. Activated carbon can also be used for purification of radioactive water. Some scientists have applied this method to remove iodine-131 from the liquid fuel found in nuclear solution reactors. Generally, this purification method works by absorbing the contaminants to address the issue. However, this method is not so efficient because there is a point where it reaches a load capacity, and it cannot absorb other contaminants.
4. Combining the three methods.  Although reverse osmosis is recommended for radioactive isotopes from water, it’s not very effective in capturing iodine-131 which is in gaseous form. Scientists have also figured that combining reverse osmosis, activated carbon, and ion-exchange, makes a very effective purification method. The combed method captures all the radioactive particles including those in gaseous form; making it very safe for consumption.

1. Best  Radiation Water Filters

The increased production of radioactive contaminants such as gas and oil has also increased the concentration of radioactive materials in the environment. This has resulted in radioactive material coming into contact with water sources such as rivers and groundwater. Irradiated water is unhealthy for drinking.

let’s dig a little deeper and look at some of the best radiation water filters that are available on the market today.
Here are radiation water filter solutions. If you’re looking for water filters that help you purify radiation from water, we have some options for you. 

1. Best Radiological Water Filter Pitcher

Seychelle 1-40401 Radiological Family Water Pitcher

• Remove 100% of major Nuclear Conterminants.
• NSF Standards 42 & 53 certified
• Uses Ionic Adsorption Micron Filter (IAMF)
• 5 Year Manufacturer Warranty

The first water filter for removing radiation that is on our list is the Seychelles Radiological Radiation water filter pitcher, and for those who don’t know, the company Seychelle is perhaps one of the most popular water filter pitcher makers.

This filter pitcher is the favorite among many customers and has received lots of positive reviews. It has been extensively tested by independnt labs in United States and it meets NSF Standards 42 and 53, and captures most Nuclear contaminants from water. It comes with a 5 year warranty from the manufacturer.

View Seychelle 40401 on Amazon

 

2. Reverse Osmosis & Activated Carbon Filter

Waterdrop G2 RO Reverse Osmosis Water

• A sediment membrane Filter
• Large reverse osmosis membrane
• Activated carbon block.
• Captures contaminants such as radium 226/228, Lead, mercury, barium, and copper.

The next filtration system for removing radiation on our list is the Waterdrop G2 RO, and in case you don’t know, Waterdrop is one of the best water purification company in the US, that shouldn’t come as surprise because they products are of very high quality.

This fiter utilizes three filtration systems, this are sediment filter, acitivated carbon block and reverse osmosis. As mentioned earlier, Reverse osmosis is the recommended method of removing radiation by EPA. The integrated filters give this sytem more efficiency in removing any type of radiactive conterminantion.

View Waterdrop G2 RO on Amazon

2. What is radiation water contamination?

Radiation water contamination occurs when unwanted radioactive substances “also known as radionuclides” get into the water sources such as lakes, rivers, and underground water.

While naturally occurring radionuclides pose little threat to human health, human activity-induced radionuclides can negatively affect once health.

The following are sources of human-induced radionuclide that might get into the water supply:

• Coal Mining industry
• Oil and Gas Mining
• Fertilizer
• Heavy metal mining

The most common radionuclides that are found in water include uranium, thorium, and radium and their decay products. 

3. Sign of too much radiation

Unlike other contaminations that are easy to detect through smell or test, you cannot know if you are drinking water that has a high level of radiation in it.  

Tests have to be done to confirm that. That’s why water supplies within municipalities are tested regularly to establish the level of radioactive substances if present.

When exposed to a high amount of radiation, people develop radiation sickness and early signs radiation sickness includes:

1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Diarrhea
4. Fever
5. Dizziness
6. Fatigue and weakness
7. Hair loss

A small traces of radioactivity is common in almost all drinking water. This is because radioactive substances “radionuclides” are known to occur naturally in the environment. The risk to human health is low compared to the risk posed by other contaminants such as toxic chemicals and microorganisms.

Recently, cases of cancer have been on the rise. As a result, people have moved to take the necessary measures to ensure that anything they consume is clear of radionuclides, including water.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set limits for optimum contamination levels which are called the Radionuclides Rule in order to protect public health. In the standards, they set maximum limits for radionuclides present in drinking water.

4. Does Boiling Purify irradiated water?

Does boing water help to remove radiation from water? The answer is yes and no. To remove radiation from the water you need to remove the radioactive substance that is in water.

Boiling will help to get rid of radioactive substances that are dissolved as gas because they have a low boiling point, for example, iodine-131 which is ordinarily present in water as a dissolved gas. However, boiling will not get rid of dissolved radioactive metals that have a high boiling point.

5. Wrapping Up

Radioactivity is not only present in nuclear energy and X-rays but also in water. Irradiated water is unsafe for consumption, especially if the radiation levels are high. Fortunately, there are effective methods to remove radiation from water so that it is safe for drinking. The most effective methods for purification of radioactive water include active carbon, reverse osmosis, and ion-exchange. Boiling your water is not an option. It will only kill some germs, but the radiation will remain. 

Related Posts

• Does Brita Filter Remove Fluoride?
• How to Remove Arsenic From Water + Best Arsenic Filters Reviews
• Water Filtration | Comparisons, Reviews, Buying Guides & FAQs