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Uranium levels prompt advisory
Posted: Saturday, Nov 10, 2007 - 02:23:45 pm PST
By CAROLINE LOBSINGER
Staff writer

DEQ: Action is precautionary measure, not health concern

BONNERS FERRY -- Elevated uranium levels in the Mission Creek Water System are prompting Panhandle Health District officials to recommend that system customers use bottled water for drinking and food preparation.

The advisory went out to Mount Hall Elementary School officials and some 40 other system users on Friday.

While the levels, measured at 60 milligrams per liter, are about twice the limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the levels aren't an immediate worry, said Michael Camin, an associate engineer at the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality.

"It isn't an immediate health concern, the (recommendation) is more a preventative measure," Camin said.

Mount Hall Elementary School, which has about 150-175 students, will provide bottled water beginning Tuesday. The Boundary County School Board is planning to meet at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday to address the matter.

Friday's recommendation was made because, over time, elevated levels of uranium have the potential to cause minor kidney problems in school-age children because they are still developing, according to a new U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report.

Both filtration and finding alternate sources of water are being considered as possible solutions, Camin said.

Uranium-laden rock natural to the Mission Creek area may explain the high levels in the water, according to health district officials. The well was drilled in the late 1990s and DEQ has been working with system officials to find a solution since studies showed children are at risk from elevated uranium levels.

Residents served by Mission Creek Water System also are being advised to use bottled water for drinking and food preparation. Using the water for bathing, washing clothes, dishwashing or other household cleaning is not believed to present a health risk.

Residents of the area with private wells are advised to have their wells tested for uranium levels.

According to the Bureau of Community and Environmental Health , uranium poses no imminent health threat. After exposure ends, kidney problems typically are reversed, Camin said.

Where in Boundardy County is this? wrote on Nov 11, 2007 9:35 AM:

" Once again, the Bee does not give enough information in their articles, where is this? For someone like myself that lives in Sandpoint but often purchases local produce and locally grown meat from Boundary residents, I want to know if there may be on this water system as well. Guess I will have to make some phone calls. I wonder if there are any studies as to the retention of uranium in root crops, above ground crops that were watered with this water? And dairy milk, and meats from animals that drank this water. I also question the statement that using it for bathing posed no risks, basic pesticide application 101, there is a reason that the applicators cover themselves from head to toe, the skin absorbs a lot through the pores! "

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Bonner County Daily Bee
P.O. Box 159 / Sandpoint, Idaho 83864 / 208-263-9534

Bonner County Daily Bee Online is updated at 10am PST.