November 10, 2007

Idaho - uranium levels high in Bonners Ferry water supply

The 40-some customers of the Mission Creek Water System in Bonners Ferry - including Mt. Hall Elementary School - have been advised to use bottled water due to high levels of uranium in the water supply. Rocks containing uranium that are natural to Mission Creek may be the cause. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recently reported that elevated levels of uranium may cause minor kidney problems in school-age children, said Cynthia Taggart, spokeswoman for the Panhandle Health District. "Uranium poses no imminent health threat," she said. "After exposure ends, kidney problems typically are reversed." Taggart said there's no risk from using the water for bathing, washing clothes, dishwashing or other household cleaning. Residents with wells should have them tested.

Source: Spokesman Review (Spokane, WA), November 10, 2007 (Idaho edition), p. B2