Predicting the occurrence of radon-222 in North Carolina groundwater

The intent was to develop an understanding of some of the factors that effect the concentration of radon-222 (222Rn) in drinking-water supplies of North Carolina. Data for this investigation were collected on a sample of 96 North Carolina public water supply wells. Water samples were collected and analyzed for 222Rn content. Data on well characteristics (discharge, specific capacity, depth, and casing length) were obtained from existing sources. Study results concluded that there is a distinct and statistically significant difference in the mean 222Rn concentrations of samples drawn from any given rock type. The study indicates that the highest 222Rn concentrations are likely to be found in supplies located in granites and gneisses within the Blue Ridge, Inner Piedmont, and Raleigh Belt regions