Radioactive Isotope Study FALLON, NV (KUNR) - Nearly a year after the discovery of a radioactive
isotope in some wells prompted two dairies to dump milk, federal
officials have announced plans to conduct a study to determine the
extent of the problem around Fallon.
Ralph Seiler of the U.S. Geological Survey says the study also
will try to pinpoint why radioactive polonium-210 turned up in
elevated levels in drinking water wells around the town 60 miles
east of Reno.
The three-year, $400,000 study, which will be funded jointly by
the agency and Churchill County, is expected to start this fall and
define which areas have wells with elevated levels of polonium.
Last August, the release of a USGS report prompted officials
from Sorensen's Dairy and Oasis Dairy near Fallon to dump milk and
stop sales pending the outcome of further tests.
The study found polonium-210 in 17 of 25 wells tested. The
naturally occurring isotope is known to cause cancer.
Subsequent tests by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration found
that it is safe to drink milk from dairies located near the wells.
County officials stress that no polonium-210 has turned up in
any municipal water system in the county.
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