520B88001 United States Eastern Environmental Environmental Protection Radiation Facility May 1988 Agency 1890 Federal Drive Office of Radiation Programs Montgomery, AL 36109 Radiation Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) Manual VOLUME I Program Overview \ I ------- EPA 520/5-84-007 Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System E R A M S MANUAL VOLUME I PROGRAM OVERVIEW May 1988 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation Programs Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF) 1890 Federal Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36109 ------- CONTENTS Page List of Figures iv List of Tables iv Foreword v 1 The Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS). 1-1- 1 1.1 Objectives 1-1- 1 1.2 Historical Background 1-1- 2 1.3 Routine Operations 1-1- 3 1.4 Alert (Nonroutine Operations) 1-1- 3 2 Organizational Relationships 1-2- 1 2.1 Administrative Organization 1-2- 1 2.2 Component Organization 1-2- 1 2.3 Requests to Establish ERAMS Stations 1-2- 2 2.4 Requests to Terminate ERAMS Stations 1-2- 3 2.5 Requests to Relocate ERAMS Stations 1-2- 3 2.6 Change of ERAMS Operator 1-2- 4 3 Administration 1-3- 1 3.1 General Policy 1-3- 1 3.2 Equipment and Supplies 1-3- 1 3.3 Reimbursement for Installation, Local Maintenance, and Repairs 1-3- 1 3.4 Other Uses of ERAMS Equipment 1-3- 2 3.5 Communications 1-3- 2 4 ERAMS Sampling Station Locations 1-4- 1 4.1 Air Particulates 1-4- 1 4.2 Krypton-85 1-4- 2 4.3 Precipitation 1-4- 5 4.4 Drinking Water 1-4- 5 ii ------- CONTENTS-Continued Page 4.5 Surface Water 1-4- 6 4.6 Pasteurized Milk 1-4-10 5 Sampling and Reporting 1-5- 1 5.1 Sample Type and Frequency 1-5- 1 5.2 Radiochemical Analyses and Frequency 1-5- 1 5.3 Data Handling 1-5- 4 6 Publications 1-6- 1 7 ERAMS Alert Status 1-7- 1 7.1 Introduction 1-7- 1 7.2 Protocol 1-7- 1 ------- LIST OF FIGURES AND TABLES Figure Page 4.1 Air Participate and Precipitation Sampling Stations 1-4- 3 4.2 Krypton-85 Sampling Stations 1-4- 4 4.3 Drinking Water Sampling Stations 1-4- 7 4.4 Surface Water Sampling Stations 1-4-11 4.5 Pasteurized Milk Sampling Stations 1-4-13 Table Page 4.1 Air Particulate and Precipitation Sampling Stations 1-4- 1 4.2 Krypton-85 Sampling Stations 1-4- 2 4.3 Drinking Water Sampling Stations 1-4- 5 4.4 Surface Water Sampling Stations 1-4- 8 4.5 Pasteurized Milk Sampling Stations 1-4-12 5.1 Sample Type and Frequency 1-5- 2 5.2 Sample Analyses and Frequency 1-5- 3 5.3 ERAMS Reporting Increments and Minimum Detectable Levels for Radionuclide Analyses 1-5- 5 ------- FOREWORD This overview explains the operation of the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS). It is bound in loose-leaf format so that it may be updated as necessary. Readers are encouraged to review the information and advise ERAMS headquarters of inaccuracies and suggested changes. Please send your comments or suggestions to the following address: Chief, Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility 1890 Federal Drive Montgomery, Alabama 36109 Charles R. Porter, Director Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility ------- 1 THE ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION AMBIENT MONITORING SYSTEM (ERAMS) 1.1 Objectives The general objectives of the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) are to provide a means of estimating ambient levels of radioactive pollutants in our environment, to follow trends in environmental radioactivity levels, and to assess the impact of fallout and other intrusions of radioactive materials. The ERAMS helps the Office of Radiation Programs assess and control the radiation dose to man, and, therefore, contributes to the wider mission of the EPA of ensuring the public health and environmental quality. This program also helps to fulfill a Presidential directive that, through Reorganizational Plan No. 3, gave EPA the primary responsibility within the Executive Branch for collating, analyzing, and interpreting data on environmental radiation levels. Specifically, the ERAMS was designed to 1. provide a direct assessment of the population's intake of radioactive pollutants due to fallout; 2. provide data for developing a set of dose computational models for specific sources and a national dose computational model to aggregate all sources and determine total population dose; 3. monitor pathways for significant population exposure from routine and accidental releases of radioactivity from major sources; 1-1-1 ------- 4. provide data for indicating additional sampling needs or other actions required to ensure public health and environmental quality in the event of a major release of radioactivity to the environment; and, 5. serve as a reference for data comparison with other localized and limited monitoring programs, e.g., state and utility. 1.2 Historical Background On July 1, 1973, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, through its Office of Radiation Programs (ORP), combined several separate, but related radiation monitoring networks (some of which had been in existence since 1956) and implemented a new monitoring system known as the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS). The previously operated networks had largely been fallout oriented. The moratorium on aboveground nuclear testing by the United States and Russia and an increase in the number of nuclear facilities made it obvious that a major realignment of these networks was necessary. Various components of previous monitoring networks, which included the Radiation Alert Network (RAN), Tritium Surveillance System (TSS), Interstate Carrier Drinking Water (ICDW), and the Pasteurized Milk Network (PMN) were restructured into the single, cohesive ERAMS. Basically, ERAMS focuses upon nuclear iources and population centers, in contrast to the strict concern with population fallout detection of its predecessor networks. Such a focus enables EPA to assess more effectively the environmental impact of the nuclear fuel cycle and to provide radiation accident assessment capability, while still monitoring fallout and providing necessary data for population dose modeling. 1-1-2 ------- The responsibility for operating ERAMS was assigned to the Director, Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF), Montgomery, Alabama. However, the Chief of the Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch at EERF has operational responsibility for ERAMS. 1.3 Routine Operations The ERAMS routinely monitors environmental levels of radioactivity in air by sampling and analyzing air participates on a twice weekly schedule, in precipitation as measurable amounts occur, in drinking water and surface water grab samples on a quarterly basis, and in pasteurized milk samples on a monthly basis. The collection and analysis of these environmental samples constitutes the nation's single, major continuous source of environmental radiation data acquisition and analysis. It is a cooperative program between the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which coordinates sample collection by state and local governments, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which performs the analyses using verified analytical and quality assurance procedures. 1.4 ALERT (Nonroutine) Operations When elevated levels of radioactivity are anticipated or known to exist, ERAMS station operators may be requested to increase their collection frequencies. Such requests are made by appropriate EERF personnel or the EPA Regional Radiation Representative. The duration and frequency of sample collections are specified at the time of the request. 1-1-3 ------- 2 ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS 2t1 Admin1strative Organ i zat1on The administrative organization of the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System components and specific responsibilities of the various offices and individuals concerned are set forth in the following sections of this manual. Operations of the ERAMS components will be as stated in this manual unless specifically modified by the Chief, Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch (MASB), EERF. Any major operational changes will be documented and new sections to this manual will be supplied to reflect the changes. 2.2 Component Organization EPA's Office of Radiation Programs made an extensive evaluation of existing radiation monitoring programs and structured the ERAMS so that it would provide a continuous environmental radiation 'picture' of the United States. The ERAMS1 component stations are distributed throughout the United States and cover each geographical region, most individual states, and all major population centers. The geographical distribution addresses population and source distribution as well as the necessity of coordinating sample collections with state agencies. Some sampling stations located near major potential release points have been effective in measuring both the wide-scale impact from global events and the potential health risk from accidental releases. 1-2-1 ------- The ERAMS is a dynamically functioning system that can easily be improved and expanded to meet changing requirements. For example, sample acquisition and validity can be improved by replacing grab sampling with sequential or composite sampling; the number of sampling stations can be increased to cover possible new sources; and the scope of the ERAMS can be expanded by analyzing samples for other pollutants. 2.3 Requests to Establish ERAMS Stations If a state identifies a need for an additional station, the request should be made by the State official principally concerned with radiation safety or environmental surveillance. The request should be addressed to the Director, Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility, Office of Radiation Programs, through the EPA Regional Radiation Representative. Each request received at the EERF is considered by the ERAMS steering committee, and a decision is made based on the justification of need and availability of equipment. The request should be made at least 90 days prior to the planned date for start of operation and should include the following information: proposed station location -- sample media to be collected -- other types of monitoring to be conducted concurrently with ERAMS operations reason for establishing the station (scientific justification if similar stations exist in the state) name, title, address, and telephone number of the responsible official name, address, and telephone number of the station operator 1-2-2 ------- 2-4 Requests to Terminate ERAMS Stations Requests by a state to terminate operation of a station should be directed as above in Section 2.3. Requests should include the following information: station number and location -- full inventory of all ERAMS equipment and materials on hand, indicating whether or not each item is operable -- name and address of person to contact regarding equipment and supplies on hand -- reason for termination of the station 2.5 Requests to Relocate ERAMS Stations Stations may be relocated within a state by agreement of the Director, EERF, and the responsible State official. Requests to relocate should be directed to the EERF through the EPA Regional Radiation Representative and should include the following information: -- station number -- present location (address) -- present operator -- present responsible State official -- proposed location (address) -- proposed operator -- proposed responsible State official -- reason for relocation -- expenses involved in relocation and portion thereof that the EPA will be expected to assume 1-2-3 ------- 2.6 Change of ERAMS Operator Both station operators and alternate operators may change due to modifications in state and local organizational structure and personnel. Notification of changes in personnel should be directed to the Chief, Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch (MASB), Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF), with an information copy to the EPA Regional Representative. The notification should include the following information: -- station number -- location -- former operator new operator -- new business address -- new business phone -- new home phone 1-2-4 ------- 3 ADMINISTRATION 3.1 General Policy It is the policy of the Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility (EERF) to either supply or reimburse station operators for equipment and supplies necessary to install and operate field stations. 3.2 Equipment and Supplies Station operators may request equipment and supplies by mailing a completed request form to the EERF or by telephoning the EERF if supplies or equipment are urgently needed to continue operating a station. Appropriate equipment and supply request forms are illustrated in Sections 1, 5, and 7 of Volume 2 of this manual. 3.3 Reimbursement for Installation, Local Maintenance, and Repairs The cost to establish a new ERAMS station will be reimbursed to the State or paid for by government purchase order only after receipt of a request at the EERF. Expenditures for maintaining or acquiring designated equipment or for modifying a station, e.g., modifying or improving on electrical installation, must be approved in advance by the Chief, Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch, and the State will be reimbursed after documentation of expenditure is received and approved at the EERF. 3.4 Other Uses of ERAMS Equipment Health agencies may use ERAMS equipment to obtain special samples or perform special monitoring services. The Chief, MASB, should be informed of the alternate use to assure such use will not interfere with ERAMS objectives. 1-3-1 ------- 3.5 Communicat ions All communications and requests for reimbursement for authorized services and expenditures should be directed to-- Chief, Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility 1890 Federal Drive Montgomery, AL 36109 Telephone Numbers: Commercial (205) 272-3402 Federal Telephone System 534-7615 1-3-2 ------- 4 ERAMS SAMPLING STATION LOCATIONS 4.1 Air Particulates Air particulate samples are collected at 69 field sampling stations. These locations were selected for wide population coverage and proximity to possible sources of environmental radioactivity. Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1 show the locations of the air particulate sampling stations, and the types of analyses are given in Table 5.1. Many of these stations were chosen to monitor the environs of potential airborne release sources. TABLE 4.1 ERAMS Air Particulates and Precipitation Sampling Stations AK: Anchorage AK: Juneau AL: Ashford AL: Montgomery AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix CA: Berkeley CA: Los Angeles CO: Denver CT: Hartford DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville FL: Miami GA: Atlanta HI: Honolulu IA: Iowa City ID: Boise ID: Idaho Falls IL: Chicago IN: Indianapolis KS: Topeka KY: Frankfort LA: New Orleans MA: Lawrence ME: Augusta MI: Lansing MM: Minneapolis MO: Jefferson City MS: Jackson MT: Helena NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NH: Concord NJ: Trenton NM: Santa Fe NV: Las Vegas NY: Albany 1-4-1 ------- TABLE 4.1 - Continued ERAMS Air Participates and Precipitation Sampling Stations NY: New York NY: Niagara Falls NY: Syracuse NY: Yaphank OH: Columbus OH: Painesville OH: Toledo OK: Oklahoma City OR: Portland PA: Goldsboro PA: Harrisburg PA: Three Mile Island PA: Pittsburgh RI: Providence SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SD: Pierre TN: Knoxville TN: Nashville TX: Austin TX: El Paso UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg VA: Virginia Beach VT: Montpelier WA: Olympia WA: Spokane WV: Charleston WI: Madison WY: Cheyenne 4.2 Krypton-85 Dry compressed air samples are purchased from commercial air suppliers located in 12 cities across the United States. Table 4.2 and Figure 4.2 show the locations of the Krypton-85 sampling stations. TABLE 4.2 Krypton-85 Sampling Stations AL: CA: FL: IL: Montgomery Oakland Tampa Chicago MA: MI: NC: NO: Boston Detroit Greensboro Camden NY: NY: OK: OR: Buffalo Utica Oklahoma Portland City 1-4-2 ------- I CO Figure 4.1 Air Paniculate and Precipitation Sampling Stations ------- I -pi Figure 4.2 Krypton-85 Sampling Stations ------- 4.3 Precipitation Precipitation samples are collected at 69 stations. These locations are the same as those selected for air participate sampling. Table 4.1 and Figure 4.1 show the locations of the precipitation sampling stations. 4.4 Drinking Water There are 77 sampling stations that collect drinking water samples. These locations are either in major population centers or near selected nuclear installations. Table 4.3 and Figure 4.3 show the locations of the drinking water sampling stations. TABLE 4.3 Drinking Water Sampling Stations AK: Fairbanks AL: Dothan AL: Montgomery AL: Muscle Shoals AL: Scottsboro AR: Little Rock CA: Berkeley CA: Los Angeles CO: Denver CO: Platteville CT: Hartford DC: Washington DE: Dover FL: Miami FL: Tampa GA: Savannah HI: Honolulu IA: Cedar Rapids ID: Boise ID: Idaho Falls IL: West Chicago IL: Morris KS: Topeka LA: New Orleans MA: Lawrence MA: Rowe MD: Baltimore MD: Conowingo ME: Augusta MI: Detroit MI: Grand Rapids MN: Minneapolis MN: Red Wing MS: Jackson MS: Port Gibson MT: Helena NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck 1-4-5 ------- TABLE 4.3 - Continued Drinking Water Sampling Stations NE: Lincoln NH: Concord NJ: Trenton NJ: Waretown NM: Santa Fe NV: Las Vegas NY: Albany NY: New York City NY: Niagara Falls NY: Syracuse OH: Cincinnati OH: Columbus OH: East Liverpool OH: Painesville OH: Toledo OK: Oklahoma City OR: Portland PA: Columbia PA: Harrisburg PA: Pittsburgh PC: Ancon RI: Providence SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SC: Hartsville SC: Jenkinsville SC: Seneca TN: Chattanooga TN: Knoxville TX: Austin VA: Doswell VA: Lynchburg VA: Virginia Beach VI: St. Thomas WA: Rich land WA: Seattle WI: Genoa WI: Madison 4.5 Surface Water Surface water samples are collected at 58 sampling locations. These grab samples are collected from surface water sources, most of which are downstream from nuclear facilities or from background locations. Table 4.4 and Figure 4.4 show the locations of the surface water sampling locations. 1-4-6 ------- I 4k vj Figure 4.3 Drinking Water Sampling Stations ------- TABLE 4.4 Surface Water Sampling Locations Location AL: Decatur AL: Gordon AL: Scottsboro AR: Little Rock CA: Clay Station CA: Diablo Canyon CA: Eureka CA: San Onofre CO: Platteville CT: East Haddam CT: Waterford FL: Crystal River FL: Ft. Pierce FL: Homestead IA: Cedar Rapids ID: Buhl IL: E. Moline IL: Morris IL: Zion KS: Le Roy LA: New Orleans Source Tennessee River Chattahoochee River Tennessee River Arkansas River Folsom S. Canal Pacific Ocean Humboldt Bay Pacific Ocean South Platte River Connecticut River Long Island Sound Gulf of Mexico Atlantic Ocean Biscayne Bay Cedar River Snake River Mississippi River Illinois River Lake Michigan Neosho River Mississippi River 1-4-8 ------- TABLE 4.4 - Continued Surface Water Sampling Locations Location MA: Plymouth MA: Rowe MD: Conowingo MD: Lusby ME: Wiscasset MI: Bridgman MI: Charlevoix MI: Monroe MI: South Haven MN: Monticello MN: Red Wing MS: Port Gibson NC: Charlotte NC: Southport NE: Rulo NJ: Bayside NJ: Toms River NV: Boulder City NY: Chelsea NY: Ossining NY: Oswego OH: Toledo Source Cape Cod Bay Deerfield River Susquehanna River Chesapeake Bay Montseway Bay Lake Michigan Lake Michigan Lake Erie Lake Michigan Mississippi River Mississippi River Mississippi River Catawba River Atlantic Ocean Missouri River Delaware River Oyster Creek Colorado River Hudson River Lake Ontario Hudson River Lake Erie 1-4-9 ------- TABLE 4.4 - Continued Surface Water Sampling Locations Location PA: Danville SC: Allendale SC: Columbia SC: Hartsville TN: Daisy TN: Kingston TX: El Paso TX: Matagorda VA: Doswell VA: Newport News WA: Northport WA: Rich land WI: Victory WI: Two Creeks WV: Wheeling Source Susquehanna River Savannah River Broad River Lake Robinson Tennessee River Clinch River Rio Grande Colorado River North Anna River James River Columbia River Columbia River Mississippi River Lake Michigan Ohio River 4.6 Pasteurized Milk Pasteurized milk samples are collected and composited at 66 sampling sites. These locations were selected to cover each state and represent more than 80% of the milk consumed in major U.S. population centers. Table 4.5 and Figure 4.5 show the locations of the principal pasteurized milk sampling stations. 1-4-10 ------- Figure 4.4 Surface Water Sampling Stations ------- TABLE 4.5 Pasteurized Milk Sampling Stations AK: Anchorage AL: Montgomery AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix CA: Los Angeles CA: Sacramento CA: San Francisco CO: Denver CT: Hartford DC: Washington DE: Wilmington FL: Tampa GA: Atlanta HI: Honolulu IA: Des Moines ID: Idaho Falls IL: Chicago IN: Indianapolis KS: Wichita KY: Louisville LA: New Orleans MA: Boston MD: Baltimore ME: Portland MI: Detroit MI: Grand Rapids MN: Minneapolis MN: St. Paul MO: Kansas City MO: St. Louis MS: Jackson MT: Helena NC: Charlotte ND: Minot NE: Omaha NH: Manchester NJ: Trenton NM: Albuquerque NV: Las Vegas NY: Buffalo NY: New York NY: Syracuse OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OK: Oklahoma City OR: Portland PA: Philadelphia PA: Pittsburgh PC: Cristobal PR: San Juan RI: Providence SC: Charleston SD: Rapid City TN: Chattanooga TN: Knoxville TN: Memphis TX: Austin TX: Fort Worth UT: Salt Lake City VA: Norfolk VT: Burlington WA: Seattle WA: Spokane WI: Milwaukee WV: Charleston WY: Laramie 1-4-12 ------- I co Figure 4.5 Pasteurized Milk Sampling Stations ------- 5 SAMPLING AND REPORTING 5.1 Sample Type and Frequency The types of samples collected and sampling frequencies are summarized in Table 5.1 for each ERAMS component. 5.2 Radiochemical Analyses and Frequency The radiochemical analyses performed and the analysis frequency are summarized in Table 5.2 for each ERAMS component. 5.3 Data Handling ERAMS data are computed and compiled by the Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch of the EERF. Raw data are then entered into computer storage and verified. The Computer Services Section of the Technical Support Branch (TSB) is responsible for subsequent formatting for publication. The primary consideration is to present the data so that they give as complete a picture as possible while allowing the greatest freedom to analyze the data without introducing bias. We consider data values to represent samples from an unknown population distribution that we are seeking to characterize. In this perspective, each data file is a time series involving the random variable of nuclide concentration. Standard statistical tools, therefore, may be readily applied. 5.3.1 Reported values. All specific and gross radionuclide analyses are reported as the counting results indicate, whether the number is negative, zero, or positive. "Minimum detectable level" (MDL) for a given analysis is defined as that value which is equal to or greater than the 1-5-1 ------- TABLE 5.1 Sample Type and Frequency ERAMS COMPONENT TYPE OF SAMPLE SAMPLING FREQUENCY Airborne Participates Filters-4 inch (10 cm diameter) from Centrifugal pump air samplers Filters are changed twice weekly and sent to the EERF Krypton-85 in air Dry compressed air samples purchased from commercial air suppliers Every two years Precipitation Precipitation Collected as precipitation occurs Composited at the EERF into single monthly samples Drinking Water Grab samples from major Quarterly population centers Surface Water Grab samples downstream from nuclear facilities or from background sites Quarterly Pasteurized Milk Composite samples from Monthly major population centers 1-5-2 ------- TABLE 5.2 Sample Analyses and Frequency ERAMS COMPONENT Airborne Particulates Krypton-85 Precipitation Drinking Water Surface Water Pasteurized Milk 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. ANALYSIS G.M. Field Estimates Gross Beta Gamma Scans 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 234U, 235U, 238U 85K Tritium Gross Beta Gamma Scans 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 234,, 235,, 238,, U j U j U Tritium Gamma Scans Gross Alpha Gross Beta 226Ra 228Ra 90Sr 238Pu, 239Pu, 240Pu, 234U, 235U, 238U ISlj Tritium Gamma Scans 131i,140Ba,137Cs>40K 89Sr, 90Sr 89Sr, 90Sr 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 1. 2. 1. 2. 3. ANALYSIS FREQUENCY Each of twice weekly samples Each of twice weekly samples All samples showing 1 pCi/nr* gross beta Semiannual ly on composite air particulate filters Every two years Monthly on composite samples Monthly on composite samples Monthly on composite samples Annually on spring quarter composites Quarterly Annually on composite samples Annually on composite samples Annually on composite samples Annually on samples with gross alpha >2 pCi/1 On samples with 226Ra between 3-5 pCi/1 Annually on composite samples Annually on samples with gross alpha >2 pCi/1 Annually on one individual sample per sampling site Quarterly Annually on April samples Monthly Annually on July samples January, April & October intraregional composites from each of EPA's 10 regions 1-5-3 ------- best estimate of the two sigma total analytical error. MDL's are not reported with specific analyses. A tabulation of MDL's for each specific radionuclide in a particular media is given in Table 5.3. 5.3.2 Reporting error terms. Each reported value for a specific analysis is accompanied by a counting error term at the two sigma (95%) confidence interval. 5.3.3 Significant figures. All reported values are rounded to no more than three significant figures. If the last figure to be rounded is five or greater, the preceding digit is increased by one, otherwise the preceding digit is not changed. 5.3.4 Reporting levels. The reporting units and the smallest increments for reporting measurements of each isotope are shown in Table 5.3. 1-5-4 ------- TABLE 5.3 ERAMS Reporting Increments and Minimum Detectable Levels for Radionuclide Analyses Radionuc Tides Gross Alpha Gross Beta Tritium 85K 238-239-240pu 234-235-238u Media Water Air Water Precipitation Water Ambient Air Air Water Air Water Reporting Units pCi/1 pCi/m3 pCi/1 nCi/m nCi/1 pCi/m3 aCi/m3 pCi/1 3 aCi/m pCi/1 Reporting Increments 1 pCi/1 0.01 pCi/m3 1 pCi/1 0.01 nCi/m2 0.1 nCi/1 0.1 pCi/m3 0.1 aCi/m3 0.001 pCi/1 3 0.1 aCi/m 0.001 pCi/1 Minimum Detectable Levels 2 pCi/1 0.01 pCi/m3 1 pCi/1 0.01 nCi/m2(*) 0.2 nCi/1 2 pCi/m3 0.015 pCi(**) per sample 0.015 pCi per sample 0.015 pCi(**) per sample 0.015 pCi per sample 1-5-5 ------- TABLE 5.3 - Continued ERAMS Reporting Increments and Minimum Detectable Levels for Radionuclide Analyses Radionuclides 226Ra 90Sr 89Sr 131, 137CS '40Ba Potassium 40K Media Water Milk Water Milk Milk Water Water (specific) Milk Water Milk Water Milk Water Water Reporting Units pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 pCi/1 9/1 g/i pCi/1 Reporting Increments 0.1 pCi/1 0.1 pCi/1 0.1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 0.1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 0.01 g/1 0.01 g/1 1 pCi/1 Minimum Detectable Levels 0.1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 1 pCi/1 5 pCi/K***) 10 pCi/K***) 10 pCi/H***) 0.4 pCi/1 10 pCi/1 10 pCi/1 10 pCi/l(***) 10 pCi/l(***) 0.12 g/1 0.12 g/1 100 pCi/1 (*) The value in terms of nCi/m would be dependent on precipitation (mm). 3 (**) This value in terms of pCi/m would be dependent on the air volume. (***) Activity as of the day of counting. 1-5-6 ------- 6 PUBLICATIONS Data and findings from the ERAMS are routinely published in two documents, Environmental Radiation Data (ERD) and Radiological Quality of the Environment. These publications are available from either the Office of Radiation Programs headquarters in Washington, D.C., or from the EERF in Montgomery, Alabama. The ERD is published quarterly by the Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility and contains results from the analyses of ERAMS samples collected from the previous quarter. Radiological Qua!ity of the Environment is published by the Office of Radiation Programs in an effort to summarize the environmental consequences of all radiation sources. On a non-routine basis, the EERF will publish ERAMS results generated from samples collected during a time period that represents a specific event. For example, samples collected following an aboveground nuclear test by the Chinese may be published in a special report to reflect the findings related to that test. 1-6-1 ------- 7 ERAMS ALERT STATUS 7.1 Introduction In addition to providing data for long-term trends and ambient concentrations, the ERAMS is designed to provide data for short-term situations such as fallout or environmental releases from other nuclear events. Two components of ERAMS are particularly useful when fallout occurs from atmospheric testing. The air and precipitation component provides almost immediate information on the geographic distribution and concentrations of fallout in airborne particulates and precipitation, while the pasteurized milk component provides information on the uptake and transfer of fallout in milk. 7.2 Protocol EPA's Office of Radiation Programs (ORP) is notified by the Department of Energy whenever the possibility of fallout from nuclear testing occurs. Information on the movement of atmospheric radioactive debris is provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. ORP-Washington notifies the EERF in Montgomery, Alabama, of the situation. The EERF then puts the ERAMS air and precipitation component on alert status and contacts the EPA regional radiation representatives, who, in turn, notify the station operators to begin daily collection of air and precipitation samples. A follow-up contact is initiated by EERF personnel to determine adequacy of sampling and mailing materials. Five-hour estimates of gross beta radioactivity in the air particulate samples are 1-7-1 ------- made by the station operators before mailing the samples to the EERF. If the five-hour estimate is twice the normal reading, the station operators are instructed to notify the EERF by telephone immediately. Precipitation samples are shipped directly to the EERF, where they are analyzed for gamma activity. In an alert situation, the EERF compiles the results and telephones them daily to ORP-Washington where they are included in the ORP press releases. The EERF also keeps the regional radiation representatives apprised of the situation. Following the initial projection of the movement of radioactive debris, a decision is made as to when additional collections of pasteurized milk will be made. The Office of Radiation Programs in Washington notifies FDA of the decision to collect additional samples and the dates by which they are desired. Since the Food and Drug Administration provides the authority for collecting these samples, the FDA then contacts its regional milk and food consultants, who, in turn, contact the station operators. These samples are mailed to the EERF where they are analyzed for gamma radioactivity. The results are then telephoned to ORP-Washington where they are incorporated into press releases and provided to FDA. The EERF also notifies the regional representatives of any significant findings. Raw data from these programs are included in the Environmental Radiation Data report issued quarterly from the EERF. Comprehensive reports may also be made to summarize results, estimate health effects, and address overall consequences. T9&S-S30-002/646BB AUGAFS,AL(««Z59J) 500 1-7-2 ------- |