Ming-Kuo Lee, a hydrology professor from Auburn, told a crowd of about 150 area residents Tuesday night that four of 13 groundwater wells sampled in that area showed levels of radon in excess of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommendations for drinking water.
The EPA says that radon exposure can cause cancers to develop in the lungs if inhaled or internal organs if consumed in drinking water.
Lee said the municipal water tested within EPA safety thresholds for heavy metals, trace elements, volatile organic compounds and other substances of concern.
"The recommendation we made is that, if financially possible, [Fruithurst residents] should switch to the safe, city municipal water as soon as possible."
Radon is usually a gas, but can be present in drinking water taken directly from underground sources, according to an EPA fact sheet.
Other substances found In addition to the radon, researchers found a number of other chemicals of concern in groundwater and soil samples from the area, including heavy metals and volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.
A ProBlend rubber production facility operated in Fruithurst from 1987 until 2015.
Testing continues Christy Hiett, principal of Fruithurst Elementary School, said she began organizing the testing after four boys under the age of 18 were diagnosed with leukemia in the span of two years.
The group has also purchased reverse-osmosis water filtration systems for households that are unable to connect to the municipal water system.
"We need to get more soil samples near the facility to find the level of distribution for both heavy metals and some organic compounds."