RADON - THE KILLER

Are you sure, you are not drinking poison? Yes friends, a recent report published by the Environmental Sciences department of Bangalore University means exactly that. Our drinking water in bangalore contains high levels of RADON. Radon is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, naturally occuring radioactive noble gas that is formed from the decay of radium. It creeps into your system, unseen, unsmelt and unfelt and it is anything but noble. The US Environmental Protection Agency reports that Radon is the second major cause of lung cancer and sixth leading cause of cancer deaths overall. In short, a serial psychotic killer who is out there unchecked.

There is no known safe levels of radioactivity says an official from EPA. In 1991, EPA proposed a maximum contaminant level for radon of 11 bq/lit in drinking water. Quite interestingly, the study conducted by Bangalore university reports radon levels as high as 700 Bq/lit in Bangalore. That is definitely status RED and an official at the University department confirms that. Data collected from Kidwai cancer institute proves that there has been reported cases of cancer due to radon exposure in Bangalore beyond any trace of doubt. Now what? The government will always be slow to react. It might take another ten years for us to have a Radon policy. But that is no reason for slack. Usually radon levels are high in ground water and hence if your source is from borewells, you must have greater caution. Don't drink the water immediately from water taps. Keep water in open containers for atleast five hours - this facilitates radon escape to air - before you consume it. As someone suggested it might be a good idea to cover your overhead tank with a wired mesh than air tight lids. Mind you, your water purifier is not advanced enough to filter out radioactive substances, all it does is kill some bacteria.

The first alarming report about radon appeared in the daily DNA. But I seriously doubt the reach of the alarm. The main source of water at several places in Bangalore is from private borewells. So the danger is higher and hence it is imperative for citizens to know. But who cares and media can only do that much. It is the job of the citizens to spread the message. Forward mails, write on blogs, speak to your friends and educate people who might find it hard to read. Our friends staying in slums might have no knowledge of the threat that is radon, so, go and tell them. A healthy living is our birth right and lets join hands to fight RADON - THE KILLER.