Troy Tap Water Quality Report

What is Radium, combined (-226 & -228)?

Radium is a naturally occurring radioactive metal that is part of the uranium decay series. It is found in trace amounts in soil, rock, and water. Radium is known for its radioactive properties and can emit alpha, beta, and gamma radiation. It is a heavy metal and can be harmful to human health when ingested or inhaled.

Health Effects

Exposure to radium can lead to serious health issues, including an increased risk of cancer, particularly bone cancer. It can also cause damage to the bone marrow and other organs. Long-term exposure may result in anemia, immune system suppression, and other health complications.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

Certified Filter Standards

What is Gross Alpha (Excl. Radon and Uranium)?

Gross alpha activity is a measure of the total alpha particle activity in a water sample, excluding radon and uranium. It is used to assess the presence of radioactive contaminants in drinking water.

Health Effects

Exposure to high levels of alpha radiation can lead to an increased risk of cancer, particularly in the bones and other tissues where alpha particles can deposit energy.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

Certified Filter Standards

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

Certified Filter Standards

What is Radium 226?

Radium-226 is a radioactive isotope of radium, which is a naturally occurring element found in uranium ores. It is a decay product of uranium-238 and is known for its radioactive properties, emitting alpha particles and gamma radiation.

Health Effects

Exposure to Radium-226 can lead to serious health issues, including an increased risk of bone cancer and other malignancies. It can accumulate in bones and tissues, leading to long-term health effects due to its radioactivity.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

Certified Filter Standards

What is Fluoride?

Naturally occurring mineral in the environment and an essential element of tooth enamel

Health Effects

Elevated levels of fluoride in drinking water can lead to dental fluorosis in children, which is the discoloration and molting away of tooth enamel. Evidence on low-dose, chronic exposure to fluoride is not definitive but has been indicated as having potential neurological impacts. Studies have clearly established that long-term exposure to high doses of fluoride, higher than typically found in US drinking water, can have adverse effects on skeletal tissue (bones and teeth), which may cause higher risk of bone fractures in seniors. Skeletal fluorosis is a debilitating condition caused by high fluoride exposure during bone development in children.

Affected Organs

Common Sources

Certified Filter Standards