 Welcome to the community newsletter for the Niagara and Erie County Radiological Assessment (NECRA) project to help keep interested residents, businesses, and community leaders updated about the initiative’s progress. You can unsubscribe at any time using the ‘unsubscribe’ link at the bottom of this page.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC), in consultation with New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), continue to advance the radiological assessment across areas of interest in Niagara and Erie counties and are committed to keeping the public informed.
In this issue:
Our call center phone number and hours have changed.
Please call 844-612-8144 Monday to Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. to reach our NECRA team. If you call outside these hours and leave a message, call center representatives will get back to you during operational times.
Have questions? Meet with our team!
At the drop-in tabling sessions, representatives from EPA, NYSDEC, and NYSDOH will be present to answer questions and provide information to residents. We held drop-in tabling sessions at the Calvin K. Richards Senior/Youth Activity Center, the Grand Island Welcome Center, the Niagara Falls Convention Center and the Lewiston Library. Over 300 residents attended those sessions, asking questions, and learning more about the property access and survey process.
We’re holding the next drop-in tabling session on September 9, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Orchard Park Public Library, 4570 S. Buffalo St, Orchard Park, NY 14127.
As assessment work continues, field teams are using the locations of interest identified by aerial and roadway surveys to prioritize screenings on properties. While we welcome residents to continue to submit property access agreements, our data will drive the decision-making process on where we screen first. Once that work is complete, EPA and NYSDEC may expand screening to other areas after evaluating survey results.
Visiting properties within an area of interest does not confirm contamination. It means the agencies observed radiological measurements that require closer ground-level evaluation and more information is needed. Agencies will not access properties without permission and will keep residents informed throughout the process if screening is allowed.
Once DEC and EPA have a signed access agreement giving permission to conduct surveys on a property, we contact the property owner and schedule an outdoor radiological screening.
Initial Radiological Screening Survey
Crews walk your property in a grid, holding a probe connected to a detector and GPS locator, synced with a tablet. The information collected is counts per minute (CPM). For large areas, these surveys can take place using a UTV, with the probe and detection gear in the bed of the vehicle. This data is brought back to our environmental assessment team to review and make a determination of whether we need to collect more information.
If we need to collect more information, our team will talk with you on the phone to explain our initial findings, then coordinate with you for additional on-site testing. The on-site testing can include indoor or outdoor radiological scoping surveys, soil sampling and indoor air screening and sampling. The scope of additional testing is determined on a property-by-property basis based on the initial screening data.
Radiological Scoping Survey
This is a more detailed survey of specific areas of your property where residents spend most of their time. It involves similar instruments to the initial screening and measures radiation in CPM. It can include collecting measurements both inside and outside your house.
Soil Sampling
Soil testing is completed using a hand auger, shovels, or an excavator to dig up soil samples. The removed soil is separated, and samples are put into containers for lab analysis. It takes up to 3 months to get the results of the soil analysis. On-site testing is also done: the soil sample is placed inside a lead shielded tube and a reading of radiation is taken. This helps researchers characterize the materials without background interference of naturally-occurring radiation.
Indoor Air Screening and Sampling
Radon sampling measures radon in the air over a 3-day period. Elevated radon is most commonly found in basements. Thoron screening is a one-hour assessment that measures the levels of thoron, a radioactive gas created when thorium breaks down.
Every week, we will share a key term or phrase that our scientists and researchers are using. If you ever see or hear a term that is unclear, get in touch with us!
CPM means counts per minute. It represents the number of radiation events detected by the survey instrument at a particular location.
CPM is an instrument reading. It is not a measurement of a person’s radiation dose. A CPM reading, by itself, does not determine whether the property is safe or unsafe, or whether additional action is needed.
Over 1,000 property owners have signed access agreements to have their properties screened and our field teams have completed screening surveys at over 750 of those properties. We are continuing to schedule screenings. Preliminary data reviews indicate that the vast majority of properties screened will need no further action. To date, more than 500 properties received notification indicating no additional radiological investigation is needed at their property. Information packets, which include a formal letter of determination, a copy of the property’s screening map, fact sheet, and frequently asked questions with contact information, were mailed to property owners. Notifications to residents and property owners will be forwarded on a continuing basis as the data is reviewed. Thirty-two properties have been referred to EPA for additional assessment.
Visit on.ny.gov/NECRA to view the July 20 meeting presentation, informational fact sheets about fieldwork, soil sampling, radiation health and safety, and how to contact agency representatives.
NECRA Hotline: Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m: 844-612-8144
NECRA Email: NECRA@dec.ny.gov
NYSDEC, NYSDOH, and EPA will continue providing updates as fieldwork progresses and additional information becomes available.
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