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What is radium and could it be in my drinking water?

Last Updated: June 22, 2010

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Radium (Ra) is a radioactive metal that occurs naturally in rocks, soil and ground water, which is a source of drinking water. As radium decays, it continually releases energy into the environment and forms radon gas. Radium readily dissolves in ground water where acidic water conditions prevail. Presence in ground water depends on local geology.

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