1. The Foundation: Number of Samples and Their Significance
The data for radon in Bradford County's aquifer comes from 71 distinct wells sampled between May 2016 and July 2022. Each well was sampled once to give a snapshot of radon concentrations across the area. These wells range in depth from 42 to 600 feet. While this is a substantial dataset for the region, it is important to note these figures represent area-wide sampling results rather than measurements from any individual well, including your own.
2. Distinguishing Aesthetic Standards from Health-Related Limits for Radon
Radon present in water is often discussed in terms of its potential health effects and its impact on water aesthetics. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides guidance and recommended limits focused on reducing health risks. However, the measured radon concentrations from Bradford County wells do not exceed federal action levels according to the available data. It is critical not to confuse detected radon levels with legal violations or unsafe conditions. The term 'secondary standards' applied to aesthetic factors like taste or odor does not equate to safety thresholds for radon, which are based on health considerations.
3. Interpreting 'Detected,' 'Median,' and 'Range' in Radon Sampling
In the Bradford County aquifer data, radon was detected in every sample — 71 out of 71 wells showed measurable radon-222. 'Detected' simply means the radon measurement was above the instrument's reporting limit, not that it exceeds health or legal standards. The median radon level is 680 pCi/L, signifying that half the wells sampled had radon measurements below this and half above. The range extends from a low of 34 pCi/L to a high of 8,500 pCi/L, demonstrating significant variation in radon concentrations across different wells in the county. This variability underscores the importance of testing your own water to know your specific conditions.
4. Additional Factors for Commercial or Industrial Water Users
While this page focuses on household water use, commercial or industrial users may have additional considerations such as higher daily water demand, regulatory reporting requirements, or specialized water treatment needs. These factors may influence how radon treatment systems are selected and sized. Households typically focus on ensuring safe and aesthetic water quality for daily use, whereas larger operations must evaluate capacity and compliance on a different scale.
5. Assessing Seasonal and Multi-Year Variation in Radon Levels
The samples from Bradford County were collected over a six-year period, from May 2016 through July 2022. This timeline captures potential long-term variations in radon levels but does not provide detailed seasonal measurement patterns for individual wells. Radon concentrations may fluctuate with changes in groundwater flow, well depth, and environmental conditions, but the broad dataset here gives a representative overview of the range and median levels present in regional groundwater over time.
In summary, government sampling of 71 wells in Bradford County’s aquifer shows radon-222 is consistently detected, with a median concentration of 680 pCi/L and a wide range up to 8,500 pCi/L. These figures illuminate the area's radon presence but do not specify conditions at any single household well. Testing your own water is the only way to determine if radon treatment is necessary. For households seeking treatment, the Autotrol Radon in Water Filter ships ready to configure and is documented to address radon removal effectively. For more detailed information, visit the U.S. Geological Survey’s official monitoring data for Bradford County aquifer groundwater.
Where this information comes from
Source: USGS groundwater sampling. Sampled 2022-07-13. These figures describe groundwater sampled in this area. They are not a test of any individual private well - only a test of that well can establish its own water.
On record: U.S. Geological Survey sampling of Radon-222 in the aquifer (Bradford County): 71 results from 71 wells, median 680.0 pCi/L, range 34.0-8500.0 pCi/L; none above any federal threshold
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