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Ohio EPA launches limited Luckey water testing after independent report shows high radiation in wells.

6 May 25 https://appareport.com/2025/05/06/ohio-epa-launches-limited-luckey-water-testing-after-independent-report-shows-high-radiation-in-wells/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=jetpack_social&fbclid=IwY2xjawKH1O9leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFqODFPMTBmQTF5TEZicE1sAR7DD3WHCKFbMcsxONI6PwwU3BG179LZeDq1kHE5syHZgCdNvasXdjpfr-DjYw_aem_DfMkHt4eTpIDIAfrZFlmGQ

The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, now under sharp scrutiny, will begin targeted water sampling in the village of Luckey on Wednesday, May 7. The move comes in response to independent testing conducted by The Toledo Blade, which uncovered elevated levels of radioactive contaminants in residential wells surrounding a former Cold War-era nuclear materials site.

The Ohio EPA said it will collect samples from Eastwood Local School buildings, Pemberville Public Library branches, and the Pemberville water treatment plants. The agency stated that certified laboratories will perform radiological analyses using “standard protocols,” though it has not clarified whether that includes specific isotope detection or testing for beta-emitting radionuclides.

Of the 38 samples tested for gamma radiation, 19 revealed bismuth-214 levels at least 10 times higher than the background thresholds established by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The presence of bismuth-214 strongly indicates the presence of radon-222, a radioactive gas known to increase cancer risk. Some wells also tested positive for radium-226, radon-222, alpha and beta radiation, beryllium, and mercury.

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Beryllium, used at the Luckey site in the 1950s, was a focal point. Of 14 wells tested for it and other metals, multiple locations showed concerning levels. Several samples were also retested to look for specific contamination types.

Katie Boyer, spokesperson for the Ohio EPA, told investigative journalist Jason Salley during an earlier investigation into drinking water concerns in Pike County, that “Ohio public water systems are not required to monitor for gross beta radiation unless they are located near a known contamination source or are at risk of contamination. If initial tests show low or no beta radiation, no further testing is necessary. Gross beta monitoring is very rare in public water systems.”

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This admission has further fueled public concern, given that Luckey sits adjacent to a federally managed cleanup site under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program (FUSRAP). Critics argue that limited testing of public buildings, rather than the private wells identified in The Blade’s report, leaves gaps in understanding potential exposure risks.

In response to the Ohio EPA’s vague testing plan, the Appalachian Press and Public Affairs Report (APPA Report) submitted a formal request to the agency, pressing for clarity on whether the upcoming analyses will include beta emitters or man-made radionuclides. As of publication, the agency has not responded.

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Sampling will begin at 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Basic Park in Luckey. Amy Klei, chief of Ohio EPA’s Division of Drinking and Ground Waters, will be available to address media questions about the scope and intent of the testing.

While state officials move forward with limited action, residents and environmental watchdogs continue to demand transparency and accountability, warning that failure to address the full scope of potential contamination could have long-term public health consequences.

May 8, 2025 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | USA, water