Orange County NC Website
18 <br />treahnent systems are not necessary. Simple precautions such as running an exhaust fan <br />when showering or when cooking can be implemented to prevent a buildup of radon in the <br />home. <br />Radon air <br />The following charts reflect the percent of homes where radon levels were above the recommended <br />limit. <br />Tha rPCnnvnended limit for Radon in air is 4 pCi/L <br />Health Rislcs -Some people who are exposed to radon may have increased risk of getting <br />cancer over the course of their lifetime, especially lung cancer. Radon exposure from <br />actually consuming the drinking water is usually not a serious tlueat to health. The health risk <br />appears through making the radon airborne tluough such means as a shower head or tluough <br />steam generated by cooking.. <br />• Remedial actions -Since none of the homes in Mill Creels had elevated radon in the air, no <br />special recommendations are needed. <br />Organic Compounds <br />Samples were collected from all the wells to analyze for the presence of pesticides and for petroleum <br />products. <br />Pesticides -The water was analyzed for the presence of 15 various organic pesticides. None of the <br />sarnples indicated the presence of pesticides. <br />Petroleum products -Samples were taken to determine if volatile or other classes of organic <br />compounds were present. Two of the 100 satnples indicated low levels of petroleum based or <br />organic compounds (chloroform and tetrahydorfuran). Chloroform at the level detected is evidence <br />of past chlorination of the well system and is commonly found at low levels in chlorinated water <br />systems. Tetrahydrofiuan is commonly found and used in many industrial and construction <br />processes and also in chemical compounds. It is commonly used as a solvent but can be used for a <br />variety of other purposes. When found in well systems at the level detected in the well in the Mill <br />Creek area, it is presumably residual from glue solvent used in the process of welding plastic pipe <br />,joints. <br />Page 16 of 47 <br />