State says Deep Creek wells safe

State and regional health officials told Deep Creek-area residents Thursday night that the contaminants in their water wells are unlikely to cause identifiable health effects at current exposure levels.

The experts talked about parts per billions, maximum contaminant levels and health effect thresholds well above what was found in the Deep Creek wells.

But what Gary Clemenson wanted know was, “What’s going to happen if you drink this stuff?”

He was one of about 80 people who live near a former Nike missile site on the West Plains who showed up at the Spokane Regional Health District building to hear the experts either ease or confirm their worst fears.

“At this point, we’re not going to advise you to not drink your water,” said Wayne Clifford, of the Washington state Department of Health’s Office of Environmental Assessment.

It was hardly a reassuring assessment for Chris Fitzpatrick, whose well has tested positive for both perchlorate, a salt that can cause thyroid problems, and N-nitrosodimethylamine, which can cause liver cancer.

The Environmental Protection Agency recently found these two chemicals, associated with rocket fuel as well as other sources, in his water and many of the 80 other wells tested in a study area known as “the box.”

Now he wonders whether the toxic solvent trichloroethylene also may have been present in his water at one time and whether it was to blame for his wife’s recent heart problems. TCE has been found in four wells in the area. Although his wasn’t one of them, Fitzpatrick recalls an oily film on the water in his toilet and the yellow stains on his shower curtain nearly a year ago.

“How do we know we didn’t get it,” he said. “It’s not normal for all these people to have health problems.”

Though some of the residents whose wells are contaminated have complained of illnesses, health officials explained that the population involved is too sparse to do an accurate health assessment. Instead they have to rely on the best science available, lab research, animal studies and studies on humans known to have been exposed.

On Thursday, the district and state brought in a pediatric environmental health specialist to explain what the long-term health effects might be.

“Based on sampling to date, the levels of contamination should not result in health problems,” said Dr. Sheela Sathyanarayana, a fellow at the University of Washington Harborview Medical Center. “It is important to closely monitor contaminant levels to continue to identify any increases in exposure levels.”