Rossmoor Tap Water Quality Report

What is Uranium?

Uranium is a weakly radioactive heavy metal found naturally in bedrock and used in nuclear weapons, some ceramics, electron microscopy stains, photography toners, and certain fertilizers. Uranium is weakly radioactive because all of its isotopes (Uranium-234, Uranium-235, and Uranium-238) are unstable. Ninety-nine percent of naturally existing uranium is in the isotope form uranium-238. The EPA has established a maximum contaminant level for uranium in drinking water in response to human and animal studies indicating kidney toxicity and and increased risk of cancer.

Health Effects

Health protective benchmarks for uranium are based on adverse kidney system effects observed in both humans and animals and an increased risk of cancer. Animal studies have also shown female reproductive system and developmental toxicity, as well as genotoxicity, related to uranium exposure.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

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What is Arsenic?

Naturally occurring element that has both inorganic and organic forms

Health Effects

The EPA drinking water standards for arsenic are based on adverse effects to the cardiovascular, pulmonary and liver systems in drinking water with inorganic arsenic, as well as an increased risk of cancer. Long term health effects of total arsenic in drinking water include bladder, GI tract, kidney, liver, lung, pancreas and skin cancer, cardiovascular effects, pulmonary and gastrointestinal effects, ocular, immunological, neurological and reproductive effects. Arsenic found in epidemiological studies include developmental effects, socioeconomic and genotoxicity.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

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What is Gross Alpha Activity?

Gross alpha activity measures the total amount of radioactivity in a water sample emitted by decaying alpha-emitting elements, notably radioactive isotopes of uranium, radium, and radon. Alpha emitters are used to treat cancer, as an eliminator of static in paper mills and in other products like smoke detectors. Radioactive atoms release high energy alpha particles that pull electrons off of the atoms in cells. This process is called ionizing radiation, and may lead to harmful changes in cells and tissues. The toxicity of an alpha emitter depends on the amount of energy it releases and how organ systems respond to that energy. Exposure to elevated gross alpha activity is associated with increased cancer risk and genotoxicity, but toxicity to individual systems is dependent on the type of alpha emitter present.

Health Effects

Drinking water standards for gross alpha activity have been developed based on increased cancer risk associated with alpha radioactivity. Alpha radiation has been shown to produce DNA changes (genotoxicity) in laboratory studies.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

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What is Radon?

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. Radon may be used in detecting seismic activity, radiography, radiation therapy, and calibrating radon monitoring devices. Radon and its breakdown products emit alpha, beta, and gamma particles that may be harmful to health. In fact, radon is the most significant source of human exposure to radiation. It is readily volatile, thus all routes of exposure (ingestion, inhalation and dermal) are relevant if one is exposed via drinking water. Elevated levels of radon in drinking water may lead to an increased risk of lung cancer due to the potential of radon gas formation. States have widely varying acceptable radon levels (300-10,000 pCi/L), but generally treatment is recommended at levels greater than 10,000 pCi/L.

Health Effects

Radon and its breakdown products release high energy particles called alpha, beta, and gamma rays responsible for its health effects. Radon has been associated with genotoxicity and an increased risk of lung cancer based on evidence from epidemiological, occupational, and animal studies.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

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