GREENVILLE -- State health officials soon will offer urine tests to some homeowners in the Fountain Inn and Simpsonville areas who are at risk of radioactive exposure from uranium in their water.

Residents in 36 homes with elevated levels of uranium can voluntarily take the urine test, Eric Melaro, environmental health manager at the Department of Health and Environmental Control, said Wednesday.

Concerns began in early February when as much as 50 times the allowable amount of the radioactive element were found in three Simpsonville-area drinking-water wells. Out of a total of 80 wells within a 2-mile radius that were tested, 13 had unsafe uranium levels.

Uranium is considered potentially harmful when it exceeds the federal standard of 30 micrograms per liter. Prolonged exposure can cause kidney problems or cancer.