Black Berkey filter elements reduced gross alpha radiation by 98.7% or more, gross beta radiation by 95.3% or more, and uranium by 97% or more in three independent tests conducted by Envirotek Laboratories in April 2016. All post-filtration results met EPA drinking water requirements throughout each test. The three lab reports are available as downloadable PDFs below.
Laboratory: Envirotek Laboratories, Inc., Bordentown, NJ
Accreditation: EPA ID #NJ01298, NJ DEP ID #03048, NY ELAP ID #12044
Test Series: Reports #16-101-GA, #16-101-GB, #16-101-GU
Report Date: April 9, 2016
Method: EPA Method 900.0 (Alpha/Beta), EPA Method 200.8 (Uranium)
Commissioned by: New Millennium Concepts, Ltd.
98.7%+
Gross Alpha reduction (minimum across 50 gallons)
95.3%+
Gross Beta reduction (minimum across 50 gallons)
97.0%+
Uranium reduction (minimum across 50 gallons)
Gross Alpha Reduction Results
The test ran 50 gallons through a Black Berkey filter element spiked at 100.5 pCi/L of gross alpha radiation, more than 6 times the EPA MCL of 15 pCi/L. Results were measured at 10-gallon intervals. All results remained well below the EPA limit throughout the full test.
Scroll to see full table
| Volume |
Influent (pCi/L) |
Filtered Result (pCi/L) |
% Reduction |
vs. EPA MCL (15 pCi/L) |
| 10 gallons |
100.5 |
0.84 |
99.2% |
Below limit |
| 20 gallons |
100.5 |
0.49 |
99.5% |
Below limit |
| 30 gallons |
100.5 |
0.31 |
99.7% |
Below limit |
| 40 gallons |
100.5 |
0.24 |
99.8% |
Below limit |
| 50 gallons |
100.5 |
1.31 |
98.7% |
Below limit |
Potential Gross Alpha Emitters in Drinking Water
- Americium-241
- Mendelevium-258
- Neptunium-237
- Plutonium-238 and -239
- Polonium-210
- Protactinium-231
- Radium-226 and -228
- Thorium-232
- Uranium-235 and -238
Gross Beta Reduction Results
The test ran 50 gallons through a Black Berkey filter element spiked at 100.1 pCi/L of gross beta radiation, more than 6 times the EPA MCL of 15 pCi/L. Results were measured at 10-gallon intervals. All post-filtration results remained below the EPA limit throughout the full test.
Scroll to see full table
| Volume |
Influent (pCi/L) |
Filtered Result (pCi/L) |
% Reduction |
vs. EPA MCL (15 pCi/L) |
| 10 gallons |
100.1 |
2.3 |
97.7% |
Below limit |
| 20 gallons |
100.1 |
2.8 |
97.2% |
Below limit |
| 30 gallons |
100.1 |
2.8 |
97.2% |
Below limit |
| 40 gallons |
100.1 |
3.9 |
96.1% |
Below limit |
| 50 gallons |
100.1 |
4.7 |
95.3% |
Below limit |
Potential Gross Beta Emitters in Drinking Water
- Actinium-227
- Californium-251 and -252
- Cesium-137
- Cobalt-60
- Iodine-129 and -131
- Lead-210
- Nickel-63
- Promethium-145
- Strontium-90
- Technetium-99
Uranium Reduction Results
The test ran 50 gallons through a Black Berkey filter element spiked at 49.1 µg/L of uranium, which is 1.6 times the EPA MCL of 30 µg/L. Results were measured at 10-gallon intervals. Post-filtration results remained well below the EPA limit throughout the full test, ranging from below 1.00 µg/L to 1.45 µg/L against the EPA limit of 30 µg/L.
Scroll to see full table
| Volume |
Influent (µg/L) |
Filtered Result (µg/L) |
% Reduction |
vs. EPA MCL (30 µg/L) |
| 10 gallons |
49.1 |
<1.00 |
99.9% |
Below limit |
| 20 gallons |
49.1 |
1.41 |
97.1% |
Below limit |
| 30 gallons |
49.1 |
1.41 |
97.1% |
Below limit |
| 40 gallons |
49.1 |
1.42 |
97.1% |
Below limit |
| 50 gallons |
49.1 |
1.45 |
97.0% |
Below limit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Black Berkey reduce radiation in water?
Yes. Independent testing by Envirotek Laboratories confirmed Black Berkey elements reduce gross alpha radiation by 98.7% or more, gross beta radiation by 95.3% or more, and uranium by 97% or more. All post-filtration results met EPA drinking water requirements throughout each test. Full lab reports are available as downloadable PDFs on the Berkey Test Results page.
What is gross alpha radiation in drinking water?
Gross alpha is a measurement of total alpha particle radiation activity in water. Alpha emitters found in drinking water include naturally occurring radioactive materials such as radium-226, radium-228, uranium, and polonium-210, as well as man-made isotopes like plutonium and americium. The EPA MCL for gross alpha in drinking water is 15 pCi/L.
What is gross beta radiation in drinking water?
Gross beta is a measurement of total beta particle radiation activity in water. Common beta emitters in drinking water include strontium-90, cesium-137, iodine-131, and cobalt-60. Beta contamination in water is often associated with nuclear facilities, weapons testing fallout, and industrial discharge. The EPA MCL for gross beta in drinking water is 15 pCi/L (or 4 mrem/year annual dose equivalent).
What is the EPA limit for uranium in drinking water?
The EPA MCL for uranium in public water systems is 30 µg/L (micrograms per liter). Uranium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with certain rock formations, and is regulated for both its chemical toxicity and its radioactivity. In the Envirotek test, Black Berkey elements reduced uranium from 49.1 µg/L to a maximum of 1.45 µg/L across 50 gallons, well below the 30 µg/L limit.
Are Black Berkey filters still available?
Black Berkey elements are temporarily unavailable due to an EPA regulatory matter. The current in-stock replacement is the Berkey Phoenix New Millennium Edition, made by the same manufacturer, NMCL. Phoenix elements are a direct drop-in replacement for any existing Berkey system. See Phoenix lab results for current testing documentation.
Where can I see all Berkey filter test results?
All independent laboratory reports for Black Berkey and Phoenix filter elements are available on the Berkey Test Results page, covering inorganic contaminants, VOCs, PFAS, lead, pharmaceuticals, and radiological contaminants.
By
Dan DeBaun
Hello,
Does the Berkey filter remove radium? I was reading that only reverse osmosis filters and ion exchange filters are able to remove radium from the tap water.
Thanks!
Cristina
Hi Cristina -
Yes, they do. Radium 226 and 228. <a href="https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/index.php/black-berkey-radiation-testing-alpha-reduction" rel="nofollow">Radiation test can be found here</a>.
Thanks
Dan
What else beside Fluoride do the white filter remove?
Hi Bob -
They also remove arsenic and heavy metals, however since the black berkeys handle this removal very well already, it is no longer marketed for the PF-2's as prominently.
Thanks
Dan
Will the black filters work in Aqua Rain's filter system?
Hi Yarrow -
Yes, they will.
Thanks
Dan
Does it filter out Barium?
Hi Carrie -
Yes, at levels 99.9% and higher.
Thanks
Dan
This is great to hear. I was about to install a reverse osmosis system because the well in our new house in the mountains has elevated gross alpha/beta. May I ask what the cleaning requirements are to keep the filters ability to remove these radioactive particles? I'm assuming they may build up over time--or is this not how it works? Thank you
Hi Seth -
No cleaning is needed to maintain a removal level. The filters will become saturated at some point, and this is the approximate 6000 gallon mark per set of 2.
Thanks
Dan
I live in the Toledo Ohio area and we have had both my assisting that put us under a water Alert 2 years ago and now the chemicals they are adding are high in THM. Will these black berkeys remove that?
Also is fluoride removed with these?
Hi Sandy -
Yes, the black berkeys will remove THM's from the water. For fluoride removal, you would want the white add-on PF-2 filters.
Thanks
Dan
Do any of the filters filter out chromium 6?
Hi Ruth -
Yes, they do. Please reference the black berkey testing results for <a href="https://www.bigberkeywaterfilters.com/studies/la-lab-results" rel="nofollow">chromium 6 included here.</a>
Thanks
Dan
Just a tip. To neutralize radioacrive iodine put a couple drops of atomic iodine in you glass or water bottle.
I have an older Big Berkey with the white ceramic filters plus the fluoride filters underneath. Do the white ones also take out the Chromium 6 and meet the same standards on the elements listed above?
Thanks,
Jacquelyn Melear
Hi Jacquelyn -
No, they do not. The black berkeys have gone through more testing and are considered the higher removal rate filter.
Thanks
Dan
THANK YOU ,THANK YOU ,THANK YOU ,I LOVE MY BERKEY EVEN MORE NOW &lt;3