High Levels Measured –

Family Finds Uranium In Their Water

By Steve Bigham

The discovery of uranium and radium traces in drinking wells in certain parts of Newtown has residents and health officials on alert this week.

The Marks family of 3 Sweet Meadow Road is having to purchase five gallons of bottled water each day after extremely high levels of the two elements were recently found in its well.

This week, Health District Director Mark Cooper called it a serious matter that is still under investigation by both the town and the state.

“Uranium in water supplies is not uncommon, but they have levels above the guidelines. Uranium is considered a natural contaminant that is not regulated,” said Mr Cooper, who admits there are still many unknowns. “The concern is not so much with the radioactivity, but of the chemical properties themselves.”

Tammy Marks, who has lived at that address with her husband Ed and their five children for the past five years, says she had been suspicious of her drinking water after a recent hair analysis procedure revealed high levels of uranium. Since then, tests revealed that each of her children suffer from low bone mass. She also wondered whether her children’s state of poor dental health might also be related. Soon after, a test of the Marks’ water supply revealed uranium levels 800 pico curies per liter (pCi/L). The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guideline for allowable amounts of uranium in drinking water is 15 pCi/L.

A follow-up test performed by state officials showed levels to be 1,049 pCi/L. In addition, the tests revealed radium levels of 16 pCi/L. EPA guidelines allow for 5 pCi/L.

“It’s just a naturally occurring thing in the ground. We just happened to tap into it. I believe ours is the highest level the state has ever seen,” Mrs Marks said Wednesday. “Once this hits the news, it’s going to go national.”

According to Brian Toll, an epidemiologist with the state health department, uranium is a naturally occurring element in the earth’s crust and is highly variable in its nature.

“This may be an isolated incident or something that needs to be investigated further. It’s not likely that there is a severe problem in Newtown, but we don’t know for sure,” he said Thursday.

Mr Toll said there is a possible link between high levels of uranium and bone deficiencies in humans. Uranium tends to accumulate in the bones, he said.

Mrs Marks’ research on the issue led her to the discovery of a well-publicized problem in Dekalb County, Illinois, where high levels of radium in the drinking water are believed to be the cause of widespread health problems there.

Public drinking water is federally mandated to be tested every four years. If it ever tests high, then they have to test every year until clean for two consecutive years. Public water in Newtown recently tested well below the guidelines for all radiation.

Mrs Marks contacted The Bee this week with her family’s story in the hopes that it might bring public awareness to the potential problem.

“I think the public ought to know about it so they can test their well water and make sure they are not exposing themselves to this naturally occurring environmental hazard.”

Mrs Marks says she would like to see the law changed to require testing of well water supplies before a house is sold or a subdivision is granted approval. The test costs about $150.