Download - HHT Presentation: Well Water
Encouraging Mainers to Test their Well Water
Eric Frohmberg
Maine Healthy Homes and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program
• 5% of all wells in Maine have too much uranium.
• More than ½ of all wells in Maine may have a radon problem.
Problem
• 10% of all wells in Maine have too much arsenic.
• 40 to 50% of Mainers are on a private well
Brochure Development
• Developed with stakeholders, focus groups and key informants.
• Written using easy to read techniques.
• Cover – eye catching, core message, contact info.
• Bacteria test is a surrogate for surface water or septic contamination.
• Why every 3 to 5 years?
•Arsenic is a known human carcinogen.
•10% of all wells in Maine above 10 ppb arsenic.
• Maine has hotspots.
• This can be fixed.
Arsenic
• Lower well water guidance from 20,000 pCi/L to 4,000 pCi/L
• Emphasize air treatment at 2 pCi/L.
• 5% of all wells in Maine above 20 ppb.
• Also find uranium hot spots.
• Health effect of concern is kidney effects
• Again, treatable.
• About 100 clinically lead poisoned children per year in Maine.
• “Typical” lead well water problem house is early ’80s with bad pH.
• EPA has an MCL of 4 mg/L and a secondary MCL of 2 mg/L.
• NAS decided that 4 mg/L is not protective and recommended EPA re-evaluate 2 mg/L.
• Our MEG is based on dental fluorosis.
Distribution
• Mailed to town offices
• BRFSS Survey
Evaluation
QUESTIONS
Eric FrohmbergPhone (tollfree in Maine)1-866-292-3474Email: [email protected]
http://wellwater.maine.gov
