PIKE COUNTY, Ohio — Residents in Pike County may be facing an invisible threat in their drinking water: Technetium-99 (Tc-99), a radioactive contaminant that, despite its mobility in water and potential health risks, is not included in Ohio’s routine water testing programs.
The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) confirms that public water systems must monitor for several radionuclides, including gross alpha emitters, radon, uranium, and radium-228. However, regulations do not require testing for Tc-99, a beta-emitting isotope commonly associated with nuclear contamination. Katie Boyer of the Ohio EPA told the Guardian, that “Ohio public water systems are not required to monitor for gross beta radiation unless they are located near a known contamination source or are at risk of contamination. If initial tests show low or no beta radiation, no further testing is necessary. Gross beta monitoring is very rare in public water systems.”
This regulatory gap raises concerns among environmental advocates, public health experts, and local residents, particularly given Pike County’s proximity to the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS)—a Cold War-era uranium enrichment facility with a documented history of radioactive contamination.
A Testing System With Potential Blind Spots
Under OEPA guidelines, community water systems operate on a six-year testing cycle if initial results for monitored radionuclides yield “non-detect” findings. For instance, the Waverly public water system in Pike County was last sampled for alpha-emitting radioactive contaminants in February 2019, with all results showing non-detect levels. This means that, under existing protocols, the next round of testing will not occur until sometime this year—unless contamination levels near regulatory limits.
Critics argue that this approach overlooks beta emitters like Tc-99, which, unlike the radionuclides currently monitored, is highly soluble in water and poorly retained by soil. In oxidizing environments, Tc-99 exists as the pertechnetate ion (TcO₄⁻), which can easily migrate through groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water supplies. Bryant Somerville, OEPA Press Secretary said in an email, “Regulations do not require public water systems to monitor for Technetium-99.”
Given these properties, Tc-99 contamination could be more widespread than current testing acknowledges. Independent environmental studies have already detected Tc-99 in local soils and crops, raising alarms about its potential presence in groundwater.
The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant’s Role
Pike County’s history with radioactive contamination is well-documented. The Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant (PORTS), a facility once responsible for uranium enrichment for nuclear weapons and energy production, has been linked to the presence of uranium, neptunium, and plutonium isotopes in the surrounding environment.
As a known byproduct of uranium enrichment, Tc-99 is a logical contaminant of concern. Waste disposal, leaking storage facilities, and natural groundwater flow could have contributed to its spread beyond the PORTS site and into the region’s water supply.
Notably, while the Department of Energy (DOE) monitors drinking water at the PORTS site for gross beta activity, these tests do not extend to residential tap water beyond DOE-managed property.
According to March 2019 DOE test results, gross beta levels at the PORTS site were measured at 6.8 picocuries per liter (pCi/L)—a value well below the regulatory threshold of 50 pCi/L, which would have triggered additional testing for Tc-99. However, public health advocates argue that testing only within DOE jurisdiction leaves surrounding communities in the dark about potential exposure.
The Health Risks of Technetium-99
Although Tc-99 emits relatively weak beta radiation, its long-term presence in drinking water poses potential health risks. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Academy of Sciences, extended exposure to Tc-99 could:
- Increase the risk of cancer, particularly in tissues that absorb technetium compounds.
- Accumulate in bones, where it can remain for years, potentially leading to bone cancer or other radiation-related diseases.
- Cause kidney damage, as some Tc-99 compounds have been shown to concentrate in the kidneys.
While the EPA does not have a specific Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for Tc-99, it does regulate gross beta activity in drinking water, setting a limit of 4 millirem per year of radiation exposure. However, because Ohio’s routine water testing does not include Tc-99, there is no way to determine whether local water supplies exceed safe limits.
Independent research suggests that Tc-99 is already present in the regional environment. Matt Brewster, of the Pike County Health District, confirmed that recent assessments have detected Tc-99 in local soils and agricultural produce. However, he acknowledged that community water systems were not included in these assessments. Brewster told the Guardian, “Tc-99 is a concern of ours as well since that was what was identified in numerous locations through the independent assessment.”
Calls for Expanded Monitoring
In light of these findings, public health advocates and environmental experts are urging state officials to revisit testing protocols. Their recommendations include:
- Targeted water sampling for Tc-99 in areas where independent studies have already detected the radionuclide in soil and crops.
- Comprehensive hydrogeologic assessments to determine the potential migration of Tc-99 from soil into groundwater.
- Updating risk assessment models to include soil-to-water transfer factors for Tc-99, ensuring that exposure pathways are properly accounted for.
Although state officials maintain that the current risk-based approach aligns with existing regulations, many community members remain unconvinced. With mounting evidence pointing to Tc-99 in Pike County’s environment, residents are questioning whether more should be done to ensure that their drinking water is truly safe.
For now, the absence of routine testing for Tc-99 leaves a crucial question unanswered: Is the water safe to drink, or are residents unknowingly consuming a radioactive contaminant with a half-life of 211,000 years? Until regulatory agencies expand their monitoring scope, that question may remain unanswered.
This is part one of the Guardian’s investigation into Pike County’s drinking water.