United States
Environmental Protection
Agency
Otfice of Radiation Programs
National Air and 400-R-92 013
Radiation Environmental Laboratory May 1993
1504 Avenue A
Montgomery, AL 36115-2601
Radiation
&EPA Environmental Radiation Data
Report 66
April-June 1991
Recycled/Recyciabio
Printed on paper that contains
at least 50% recycled liber
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ENVIRONMENTAL
RADIATION
DATA
REPORT 66
April - June 1991
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
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Preface
Environmental Radiation Data (ERD) is compiled and distributed quarterly by the Office of Radia-
tion and Indoor Air's National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery,
Alabama, and contains data from the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS).
Data from similar networks operated by contributing States, Canada, Mexico, and the Pan American Health
Organization are reported in the ERD when available.
ERAMS was established in 1973 by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation
and Indoor Air (ORIA). It is comprised of a nationwide network of sampling stations that provide air,
surface and drinking water, and milk samples from which environmental radiation levels are derived. The
major emphasis for ERAMS is upon identifying trends in the accumulation of long-lived radionuclides in the
environment.
Sampling locations are selected to provide optimal population coverage while functioning to monitor
fallout from nuclear devices and other forms of radioactive contamination of the environment. The radiation
analyses performed on these samples include gross alpha and gross beta levels, gamma analyses for fission
products, and specific analyses for uranium, plutonium, strontium, iodine, radium, krypton, and tritium.
This monitoring effort also provides ancillary information on natural background levels and on routine and
accidental releases into the environment from stationary sources.
The radiochemical procedures used by NAREL to analyze the ERAMS samples are contained in Eastern
Environmental Radiation Facility Radiochemistry Procedures Manual (EPA 520/5-84-006). Station oper-
ation and sample collection are in accordance with procedures contained in the ERAMS Manual (EPA
520/5-84-007, 008, 009).
in
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Environmental Radiation Data
Contents
Page
Data - Reporting Rationale and Procedures ix
Data - ERAMS 1
Section I. Air Program 1
1. Airborne Participates and Precipitation 1
2. Plutonium and Uranium in Airborne Particulates and Precipitation 12
3. Krypton-85 13
Section II. Water Program 14
1. Surface Water 14
2. Drinking Water 17
Section III. External Gamma Ambient Monitoring Program 20
Section IV. Milk Program 21
1. Pasteurized Milk 21
2. Stiontium-90 in Milk 28
3. Carbon-14 in Milk 29
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Environmental Radiation Data
List of Tables
Table Page
1 ERAMS Reporting Increments and Minimum Detectable Levels xi
for Radionuclide Analyses
2 Gross Beta in Airborne Participates: April 1991 2
3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: May 1991 4
4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: June 1991 6
5 > Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: April 1991 8
6 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: May 1991 9
7 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: June 1991 10
8 Tritium in Precipitation: April - June 1991 11
9 Tritium in Surface Water: April - June 1991 15
10 Tritium in Drinking Water: April - June 1991 18
11 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: April 1991 22
12 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: May 1991 24
13 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: June 1991 26
14 Strontium-90 in Pasteurized Milk: January - March 1991 28
Vll
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DATA - Reporting Rationale and Procedures
In 1973, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air established the
Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) to provide continuous, accurate, and usable
environmental radiation data to the public. For completeness, ERAMS data for all specific radionuclide
analyses are reported as the calculated results indicate, whether the numbers are negative, zero, or positive.
Reporting Rationale
Frequently, there is little or no radioactivity in environmental media. Thus, the results of laboratory
analyses should statistically show a distribution of negative and positive numbers about zero. A negative
value occurs when a previously determined background value is subtracted from a sample value that is
less than that of the background. Prior to July 1975, ERAMS data were not reported numerically when
the results were less than a specified reporting level or minimum detectable level. The present reporting
procedure allows all the data to be reported and evaluated statistically without an arbitrary cutoff of small
or negative numbers. This approach will facilitate estimates of bias in the nuclide analyses and will allow
better evaluation of distributions and trends in environmental data.
When reviewing the data in this report, caution should be exercised in the interpretation of individual
negative values. Obviously, a negative activity value has no physical significance. Such numbers, however,
are significant when taken together with other observations that indicate that the true value of a distribution
is near zero. When an average of many measurements produces a result significantly less than zero, this
indicates a bias in the measurement procedure.
(1) Reported Values
Specific Analyses. All specific radionuclide analyses will be reported as the counting results indicate,
whether the value is negative, zero, or positive. All reported values are corrected for radioactive decay
to the collection date.
Gross Analyses. The actual value of gross radioactivity measurements will be reported, unless
the value is below the minimum detectable level (MDL) at the 2cr confidence level, then < minimum
detectable level will be reported.
MDL is defined as the 3cr error of the background. A tabulation of typical MDL's is given in the
following table.
(2) Reported Error Terms
Each reported value for specific analyses will be accompanied by a counting error term at the 2
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Table 1
ERAMS Reporting Increments and Minimum Detectable Levels
for Radionuclide Analyses
Radionuclide
Gross Alpha
f Gross Beta
Tritium
Carbon-14
Krypton-85
ft Plutonium-238,239,240
I Uranium-234, 235,238
Radium-226
Strontium-90
It Strontium-89
It Iodine-131
Iodine-129
Cesium-137
It Barium-140
Potassium
Potassium-40
Media
Water
Air
Water
Precipitation
Reporting
Units
PCi/l
pCi/m3
PCi/l
nCi/m2
Reporting
Increments
1 pCi/1
0.01 pCi/m3
1 pCi/1
0.01 nCi/m2
Minimum
Detectable
Levels
2 pCi/1
0.01 pCi/m3
1 pCi/1
0.01 nCi/m2
(specific radiochemical analyses)
Water
Milk
Milk
Ambient Air
Air
Milk
Water
Air
Milk
Water
Water
Milk
Water
Milk
Milk
Water
Water
Milk
Milk
Water
Milk
Water
Milk
Water
Water
nCi/1
nCi/1
PCi/l
pCi/m3
aCi/m3
PCi/l
pCi/1
aCi/m3
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
fCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
pCi/1
g/1
g/1
PCi/l
0.1 nCi/1
0.1 nCi/1
1 pCi/1
0.1 pCi/m3
0.1 aCi/m3
0.001 pCi/1
0.001 pCi/1
0.1 aCi/m3
0.001 pCi/1
0.001 pCi/1
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
0.1 fCi/1
1 pCi/1
1 pCi/1
1 pCi/1
1 pCi/1
0.1 g/1
0.1 g/1
1 pCi/1
0.2 nCi/1
0.2 nCi/1
15 pCi/1
2 pCi/m3
0.015 pCi
0.015 pCi
0.015 pCi
0.015 pCi
0.015 pCi
0.015 pCi
0.1 pCi/1
1 pCi/1
1 pCi/1
5 pCi/1
10 pCi/1
10 pCi/1
0.4 pCi/1
0.4 fCi/1
10 pCi/1
10 pCi/1
10 pCi/1
10 pCi/1
0.12 g/1
0.12 g/1
100 pCi/1
| The value of MDL for precipitation in terms of nCi/m would be dependent on precipitation (rain).
f f This value of MDL for air in terms of pCi/m would be dependent on the air volume. Measurement by alpha spectroscopy
that includes contributions of plutonium-239 and plutonium-240. MDL for all media given per sample.
| This value of MDL for air in terms of pCi/m3 would be dependent on the air volume. MDL for all media given per sample.
|| Activity as of the day of counting.
XI
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DATA - EPA
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION
AMBIENT MONITORING SYSTEM (ERAMS)
Section I. Aii Program
Airborne Particulates and Precipitation
Gross beta radioactivity measurements and certain specific analyses are performed on air participates
and precipitation samples as indicator measurements in assessing the general (national) impact of all con-
tributing sources on environmental levels of radiation.
Airborne particulates are collected continuously at field stations representing wide geographic coverage,
including present and potential sources of environmental radioactivity. Sampling sites are located throughout
the United States.
Filters (10-cm diameter synthetic fiber) from air samplers are changed twice weekly and field measure-
ments are made with a G-M survey meter t at 5 hours and 29 hours after collection to allow for radon and
thoron daughter product decay. Field estimates are reported to appropriate EPA officials by telephone or
mail depending on the activity levels found.
The filters are sent to NAREL for more sensitive analyses in a low background beta counter. Gamma
scans are performed on all filters showing gross beta counts greater than 1 pCi/m3. The laboratory obtained
values are usually lower than the field estimates due to the decay of naturally occurring radionuclides between
the times of the two measurements.
Precipitation samples are collected at those field stations collecting air filters. These samples are also
sent to NAREL where they are composited monthly for gamma scans, tritium, and gross beta activity
measurements. A composite of the March, April, and May precipitation samples is analyzed for plutonium-
238, -239, -240, and uranium-234, -235, and -238.
A compilation of individual measurements is available from the National Air and Radiation Environ-
mental Laboratory, 1504 Avenue A, Montgomery, AL 36115-2601.
Tables 2-4 contain the data in airborne particulate samples for April - June 1991. Tables 5-7 contain
the data in precipitation samples for April - June 1991. Table 8 contains the data for tritium in precipitation
samples for April - June 1991 at the selected sites.
The counts at five hours for the Montgomery, Alabama, station are performed on a low background beta counter.
1
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Table 2
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
April 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
AZ: PHOENIX
CA: BERKELEY
CA:LOS ANGELES
CO: DENVER
CT : HARTFORD
DC: WASHINGTON
DE: WILMINGTON
FL: JACKSONVILLE
FL: MIAMI
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
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
NC : CHARLOTTE
NC: WILMINGTON
ND: BISMARCK
NE: LINCOLN
NH: CONCORD
NJ: TRENTON
NM: SANTA FE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: ALBANY
NY: NIAGARA FALLS
NY: SYRACUSE
Number
of
Samples
5
9
8
9
9
9
9
1
9
6
9
8
9
9
9
9
8
8
2
7
7
9
8
7
9
9
9
9
9
1
9
9
9
9
4
9
4
5 -Hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.2
1.7 0.3 0.9
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.4 0.0 0.2
1.8 0.3 0.7
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.5 0.0 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.4 0.2 0.3
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.1 0.2
0.5 0.1 0.2
1.3 0.4 0.7
0.3 0.0 0.2
0.6 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.7 0.0 0.2
1.4 0.1 0.5
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
2.3 0.2 0.8
0.5 0.5 0.5
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.0 0.2
0.5 0.2 0.3
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurment
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.02
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0. 01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.04 0.01 0.02
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.03 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
April 1991
Location
NYiYAPHANK
OH: COLUMBUS
OH:PAINESVILLE
OH: ROSS
OH: TOLEDO
OK: OKLAHOMA CITY
OR: PORTLAND
PA:HARRISBUR6
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
WA:OLYMPIA
WA: SPOKANE
WI: MADISON
WV: CHARLESTON
Number
of
Samples
9
7
8
9
9
8
9
9
9
9
2
9
8
8
9
7
9
9
8
4
9
9
9
3
6-Hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m8)
0.3 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
1.6 0.0 0.4
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.6 0.0 0.2
0.5 0.1 0.3
1.1 0.4 0.7
1.2 0.2 0.4
0.6 0.1 0.2
0.7 0.0 0.3
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.6 0.1 0.3
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.4 0.1 0.2
1.3 0.2 0.6
0.0 0.0 0.0
NAREL Lab
Measurment
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.10 0.01 0.03
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.03 0.01 0.02
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.03 0.01 0.02
0.03 0.01 0.02
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.02
0.01 0.00 0.01
Minimum Detectable
Minimum Detectable
Limit for field estimates - 0.1 pCi/m.
Limit for laboratory measurement - 0.01 pCi/m3.
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Table 3
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
May 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
AZ: PHOENIX
CA: BERKELEY
CA:LOS ANGELES
CO: DENVER
CT: HARTFORD
DE: WILMINGTON
FL: JACKSONVILLE
FL: MIAMI
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
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
NC : CHARLOTTE
NC: WILMINGTON
ND: BISMARCK
NE: LINCOLN
NH: CONCORD
NJ:TRENTON
NM: SANTA FE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: ALB ANY
NY: NIAGARA FALLS
NY: SYRACUSE
NY:YAPHANK
Number
of
Samples
7
9
9
9
9
9
9
9
6
8
7
9
9
9
9
8
8
3
9
7
9
9
8
9
9
9
8
8
1
9
9
9
9
5
9
4
6
5-Hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
2.0 0.3 0.8
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.9 0.3 0.5
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.0 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.6 0.0 0.3
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.7 0.1 0.4
0.9 0.1 0.4
0.8 0.2 0.6
0.2 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.1 0.2
0.6 0.1 0.2
0.6 0.1 0.3
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
1.0 0.3 0.6
0.2 0.2 0.2
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.9 0.1 0.5
0.8 0.1 0.4
0.2 0.1 0.2
0.4 0.0 0.1
0.6 0.1 0.3
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurment
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.03 0.01 0.02
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.03 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
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Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
May 1991
Location
OH: COLUMBUS
OH:PAINESVILLE
OH: ROSS
OH: TOLEDO
OK: OKLAHOMA CITY
OR: PORTLAND
PA:HARRISBUR6
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
WA:OLYMPIA
WA: SPOKANE
WI: MADISON
WV : CHARLESTON
Number
of
Samples
5
8
9
9
5
9
9
9
8
1
9
5
8
9
9
8
9
9
3
9
9
9
6
5-Hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.7 0.1 0.3
0.4 0.1 0.3
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.6 0.0 0.2
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.2 0.3
0.4 0.1 0.3
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.8 0.1 0.3
0.3 0.1 0.2
1.0 0.1 0.4
2.4 0.1 0.6
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.8 0.1 0.5
0.3 0.1 0.2
1.0 0.1 0.3
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.6 0.1 0'. 2
0.9 0.1 0.5
0.1 0.1 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurment
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.03 0.01 0.02
0.01 0.00 0.01
0..01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.02
0.02 0.01 0.02
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
Minimum Detectable Limit for field estimates - 0.1 pCi/m3.
Minimum Detectable Limit for laboratory measurement - 0.01 pCi/m3.
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Table 4
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
June 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
AZ: PHOENIX
CA: BERKELEY
CA:LOS ANGELES
CO: DENVER
CT : HARTFORD
DE: WILMINGTON
FL: JACKSONVILLE
FL: MIAMI
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
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
NC : CHARLOTTE
NC: WILMINGTON
ND: BISMARCK
NE: LINCOLN
NH: CONCORD
NJ: TRENTON
NM: SANTA FE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: ALBANY
NY: NIAGARA FALLS
NY : SYRACUSE
NY:YAPHANK
Number
of
Samples
8
8
6
8
8
7
8
8
8
4
8
8
8
8
9
7
8
4
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
4
8
3
8
5-Hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.2 0.3
2.5 0.5 1.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.7 0.2 0.5
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.7 0.1 0.4
0.0 0.0 0.0
1.5 0.1 0.5
1.2 0.0 0.4
2.0 0.7 1.1
0.6 0.2 0.4
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.0 0.2
0.5 0.1 0.3
0.7 0.1 0.4
1.9 0.4 0.9
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.6 0.1 0.2
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.8 0.2 0.5
1.7 0.1 0.8
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.9 0.3 0.6
0.5 0.1 0.3
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.5 0.1 0.3
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurment
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.05 0.01 0.02
0.03 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
June 1991
Location
OH: COLUMBUS
OH:PAINESVILLE
OH: ROSS
OH: TOLEDO
OK OKLAHOMA CITY
OR: PORTLAND
PA:HARRISBUR6
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
WA:OLYMPIA
WA: SPOKANE
WI:MADISON
WV : CHARLESTON
Number
of
Samples
4
7
8
8
6
8
8
8
8
1
8
6
7
8
8
8
7
8
2
8
8
8
3
5-Hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.7 0.1 0.4
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
1.0 0.0 0.3
0.0 0.0 0.0
1.0 0.2 0.5
0.5 0.3 0.4
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.1 0.3
0.2 0.1 0.2
1.3 0.1 0.6
1.0 0.2 0.6
0.2 0.1 0.1
1.1 0.3 0.7
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.8 0.2 0.6
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.1 0.2
1.0 0.1 0.5
0.3 0.2 0.3
NAREL Lab
Measurment
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.03 0.00 0.01
0.07 0.01 0.03
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
0.08 0.01 0.03
0.02 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.02
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.01 0.01 0.01
0.00 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.00
0.01 0.00 0.01
0.02 0.01 0.01
Minimum Detectable
Minimum Detectable
Limit for field estimates - 0.1 pCi/m3.
Limit for laboratory measurement - 0.01 pCi/m3.
-------
Table 5
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
April 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
CA: BERKELEY
CO: DENVER
CT: HARTFORD
DE: WILMINGTON
FL: JACKSONVILLE
FL: MIAMI
ID:BOISE
ID: IDAHO FALLS
IL: CHICAGO
LA: NEW ORLEANS
MI: LANSING
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
NC : CHARLOTTE
NC: WILMINGTON
ND: BISMARCK
NH: CONCORD
NJ: TRENTON
NY: ALB ANY
NY: NEW YORK CITY
NY: NIAGARA FALLS
NY : YAPHANK
OH:PAINESVILLE
OH: TOLEDO
OR: PORTLAND
PA:HARRISBURG
SC.-BARNWELL
SC: COLUMBIA
TN:KNOXVILLE
TN: NASHVILLE
TX: AUSTIN
UT:SALT LAKE CITY
VA:LYNCHBURG
WA : OLYMPIA
WI:MADISON
Depth
(mm)
128.0
101.0
5.0
15.6
40.0
72.2
109.8
133.0
55.0
30.6
105.2
172.0
124.8
38.0
87.0
92.0
162.0
81.0
38.6
76.6
71.0
53.6
38.0
91.0
100.0
63.6
94.0
95.4
8.0
67.8
207.2
105.0
84.8
90.0
29.4
97.8
87.8
87.8
Act. ±20-
(nCi/m2)
0.18 0.05
0.14 0.04
0.01 0.00
0.08 0.01
0.03 0.01
0.21 0.04
0.15 0.04
0.13 0.05
0.07 0.02
0.17 0.02
0.07 0.03
0.13 0.06
0.18 0.05
0.02 0.01
0.15 0.03
0.06 0.03
0.21 0.06
0.19 0.04
0.37 0.03
0.24 0.04
0.18 0.03
0.11 0.02
0.07 0.02
0.11 0.04
0.16 0.04
0.26 0.03
0.19 0.04
0.05 0.03
0.01 0.00
0.10 0.03
0.24 0.08
0.09 0.03
0.09 0.03
0.10 0.03
0.10 0.01
0.12 0.04
0.09 0.03
0.10 0.03
Specific Gamma
Activity
(pCi/1)
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
WD
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
cr — Counting Error.
ND = No Gamma Activity Detectable.
-------
Table 6
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
May 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
CO: DENVER
CT: HARTFORD
DE: WILMINGTON
FL: JACKSONVILLE
FL:MIAMI
ID:BOISE
ID: IDAHO FALLS
IL: CHICAGO
LA: NEW ORLEANS
ME : AUGUSTA
MI: LANSING
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
NC : CHARLOTTE
NC: WILMINGTON
ND: BISMARCK
NH: CONCORD
NJ:TRENTON
NM: SANTA FE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: ALBANY
NY: NEW YORK CITY
NY: NIAGARA FALLS
NY: SYRACUSE
NYiYAPHANK
OH:PAINESVILLE
OH: TOLEDO
OR PORTLAND
PA:HARRISBURG
RI: PROVIDENCE
SC:BARNWELL
SC: COLUMBIA
TNiKNOXVILLE
TN: NASHVILLE
TX: AUSTIN
UT:SALT LAKE CITY
VA:LYNCHBURG
WA:OLYMPIA
WI: MADISON
WV: CHARLESTON
Depth
(mm)
155.0
59.0
60.8
84.0
96.0
67.6
47.2
14.4
84.4
102.2
270.6
76.0
38.8
162.0
70.0
84.0
96.0
81.0
100.4
84.4
40.8
34.0
8.0
62.6
33.6
73.0
32.0
53.0
39.8
26.0
82.8
87.0
42.0
39.6
138.2
98.0
36.0
68.0
68.4
52.4
48.8
50.0
42.0
Act . ±2
-------
Table 7
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
June 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
CO: DENVER
CT: HARTFORD
DE: WILMINGTON
FL: JACKSONVILLE
FL: MIAMI
ID:BOISE
ID: IDAHO FALLS
IL: CHICAGO
LA: NEW ORLEANS
ME: AUGUSTA
MI: LANSING
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
NC : CHARLOTTE
NC: WILMINGTON
ND: BISMARCK
NH: CONCORD
NJ: TRENTON
NM: SANTA FE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: ALBANY
NY: NEW YORK CITY
NY: NIAGARA FALLS
NY: SYRACUSE
NY:YAPHANK
OH:PAINESVILLE
OH: TOLEDO
OR: PORTLAND
PA:HARRISBURG
SC:BARNWELL
SC: COLUMBIA
TN.-KNOXVILLE
TN: NASHVILLE
TX: AUSTIN
UT:SALT LAKE CITY
VA : LYNCHBURG
WA:OLYMPIA
WI: MADISON
WV: CHARLESTON
Depth
(mm)
140.0
82.0
75.2
40.0
47.0
160.2
161.4
5.0
8.0
54.2
90.0
104.0
79.2
36.0
20.0
56.0
29.0
33.0
38.8
38.0
49.2
9.0
4.0
58.0
28.2
25.0
20.0
79.0
27.0
51.0
32.0
17.0
69.2
87.6
129.0
93.2
90.0
30.0
31.0
36.4
73.0
42.0
Act . ±2
-------
Table 8
Tritium in Precipitation
April - June 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
CA: BERKELEY
CO: DENVER
CT: HARTFORD
DE: WILMINGTON
FL: JACKSONVILLE
FL: MIAMI
ID:BOISE
ID: IDAHO FALLS
IL: CHICAGO
LA: NEW ORLEANS
ME: AUGUSTA
MI: LANSING
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
NC: CHARLOTTE
NC: WILMINGTON
ND: BISMARCK
NH: CONCORD
NJ:TRENTON
NM: SANTA FE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: ALBANY
NY: NEW YORK CITY
NY: NIAGARA FALLS
NY : SYRACUSE
NY:YAPHANK
OH:PAINESVILLE
OH: TOLEDO
OR: PORTLAND
PA:HARRISBURG
RI: PROVIDENCE
SC:BARNWELL
SC: COLUMBIA
TN:KNOXVILLE
TN: NASHVILLE
TX: AUSTIN
UT:SALT LAKE CITY
VA:LYNCHBURG
WA : OLYMPIA
WI: MADISON
WV : CHARLESTON
April 1991
nCi/1 ±2
-------
Plutonium and Uranium in Airborne Particulates and Precipitation
Environmental radiation levels of plutonium and uranium are determined by the analysis of semi-
annually composited samples (air filters) collected from the continuously operating airborne particulate
samplers.
Concentration of the specific isotopes of plutonium-238, -239, and -240 and uranium-234, -235, and
-238 are determined by alpha spectroscopy following chemical separation. The volume of air represented by
the semiannual composite ranges from 25,000 to 40,000 cubic meters.
Plutonium and uranium results are published when they become available.
12
-------
Krypton-85
Krypton-85 is a long-lived noble gas with a half-life of 10.8 years. It is released into the atmosphere
by nuclear reactor operations, fuel reprocessing, weapons tests, and research and defense related activities.
Krypton-85 also occurs naturally in minor quantities primarily from the neutron capture of stable krypton-
84 as well as spontaneous fission and neutron-induced fission of uranium. Krypton-85 in the atmosphere
has been monitored to identify and establish baseline levels and long-term trends.
Krypton-85 analysis began in January 1973 with sample collections and analyses being performed for 12
sampling locations. These locations were selected to provide atmospheric coverage of the United States with
considerations being given to the proximity to fuel reprocessing plants, nuclear reactors, and wide geographic
coverage.
Dry compressed air samples, collected at each location, are purchased from commercial air suppliers and
shipped to the NAREL where the krypton-85 is cryogenically separated and counted in a liquid scintillation
system.
The last Kr-85 results were for 1976, 1977, and 1979. They were published in Environmental Radiation
Data: Report 30.
13
-------
DATA - EPA
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION
AMBIENT MONITORING SYSTEM (ERAMS)
Section II. Water Program
The ERAMS water program provides data on ambient radiation levels in the nation's rivers, streams,
and drinking water supplies.
Surface Water
Quarterly grab samples are taken downstream from operating or future nuclear facilities at 58 stations.
Surface water samples are analyzed for tritium quarterly and specific gamma activity annually. Tritium
is a primary radioactive pollutant from nuclear power plants and weapons production activities.
Tritium concentrations are determined by liquid scintillation counting of distilled samples. Gamma
scans are performed annually to determine levels of gamma emitting radionuclides.
Table 9 contains the data for tritium concentrations for April - June 1991.
14
-------
Table 9
Tritium in Surface Water
April - June 1991
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
IL:E. MOLINE
IL: MORRIS
IL:ZION
KS:LEROY
LA: NEW ORLEANS
MA: PLYMOUTH
MD:CONOWINGO
MD:LUSBY
ME:WISCASSET
MI:BRIDGMAN
MI:CHARLEVOIX
MI: MONROE
MI: SOUTH HAVEN
MN:MONTICELLO
MM: RED WING
MS: PORT GIBSON
NC : CHARLOTTE
NC:SOUTHPORT
NE:RULO
NJ:BAYSIDE
NJ:BAYSIDE
NJ: OYSTER CREEK
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
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
ILLINOIS RIVER
LAKE MICHIGAN
NEOSHO RIVER
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
CAPE COD BAY
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
DELAWARE RIVER
OYSTER CREEK
Date
Collected
04/04/91
04/11/91
04/05/91
04/18/91
02/18/91
05/15/91
04/11/91
06/19/91
04/05/91
04/08/91
04/08/91
04/15/91
04/09/91
04/04/91
04/18/91
04/23/91
04/02/91
06/26/91
04/03/91
04/04/91
04/17/91
04/16/91
04/08/91
04/09/91
04/05/91
04/08/91
04/08/91
04/07/91
04/23/91
05/13/91
04/09/91
04/01/91
04/10/91
04/02/91
04/16/91
04/17/91
04/17/91
nCi/1 ±2<7
0.3 0.2
1.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.3 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.3 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0..1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.3 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.5 0.2
0.2 0.2
15
-------
Table 9 (continued)
Tritium in Surface Water
April - June 1991
Location
NV: BOULDER CITY
NY: CHELSEA
NY:OSSINING
NY:OSWEGO
OH: TOLEDO
OR:BRADWOOD
PA: DANVILLE
PA: PHILADELPHIA
PA: PHILADELPHIA
PA: PHILADELPHIA
SC:ALLENDALE
SC: BROAD RIVER
SC:HARTSVILLE
TN:DAISY
TN: KINGSTON
TX:EL PASO
TX:MATAGORDA
VA:DOSWELL
VA: NEWPORT NEWS
WA:NORTHPORT
WA:RICHLAND
WI:TWO CREEKS
WI: VICTORY
WV: WHEELING
Source
COLORADO RIVER
HUDSON RIVER
HUDSON RIVER
LAKE ONTARIO
LAKE ERIE
COLUMBIA RIVER
SUSQUEHANNA RIVER
SCHUYLKILL-BELMONT
DELAWARE-BAXTER
SCHUYLKILL-QUEEN
SAVANNAH RIVER
BROAD RIVER
LAKE ROBINSON
.TENNESSEE RIVER
CLINCH RIVER
RIO GRANDE
COLORADO RIVER
NORTH ANNA RIVER
JAMES RIVER
COLUMBIA RIVER
COLUMBIA RIVER
LAKE MICHIGAN
MISSISSIPPI RIVER
OHIO RIVER
Date
Collected
05/03/91
04/08/91
04/29/91
06/19/91
04/04/91
05/30/91
04/17/91
04/23/91
04/23/91
04/23/91
04/30/91
04/25/91
04/15/91
04/16/91
04/08/91
06/04/91
04/16/91
04/04/91
04/18/91
05/22/91
04/23/91
04/16/91
04/05/91
04/03/91
nCi/1 ±2
-------
Drinking Water
This program monitors ambient radiation levels in drinking water at 78 sites. These data serve to assess
trends and anomalies in concentrations, and to compare with standards set forth in the EPA "National
Interim Primary Drinking Water Regulations." These regulations provide for approval of supplies when
the combined radium-226 and radium-228 levels do not exceed 5 pCi/1, when the gross alpha (excluding
radon and uranium) levels do not exceed 15 pCi/1, when tritium levels do not exceed 20,000 pCi/1, when the
strontium-90 levels do not exceed 8 pCi/1, and when the gross beta levels do not exceed 50 pCi/1.
Grab samples are taken at the 78 sites which are either major population centers or selected nuclear
facility environs.
The analyses include (a) tritium on a quarterly basis; (b) gross alpha, gross beta, strontium-90, and
gamma on annual composites; (c) radium-226 if the gross alpha exceeds 2 pCi/1 and radium-228 if the
radium-226 falls between 3 and 5 pCi/1; (d) specific iodine-131 on one quarterly sample per year for each
station; and (e) an annual composite for plutonium-238, -239, and -240 and uranium-234, -235, and -238
for stations that demonstrate gross alpha levels greater than 2 pCi/1.
Tritium analyses are performed by scintillation counting of the distilled samples. Gross beta and al-
pha are determined by evaporating an aliquot on a stainless steel planchet for counting. Radium-226 is
determined by the standard emanation technique. Strontium-90 is determined by beta counting a strontium
carbonate precipitate isolated by ion exchange.
Table 10 contains the data in drinking water for April - June 1991.
17
-------
Table 10
Tritium in Drinking Water
April - June 1991
Location
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
HI: HONOLULU
IA: CEDAR RAPIDS
ID: BOISE
ID: IDAHO FALLS
IL: CHICAGO
IL: MORRIS
KS:TOPEKA
LA: NEW ORLEANS
MA: LAWRENCE
MD: BALTIMORE
MD:CONOWINGO
ME: AUGUSTA
MI: DETROIT
MI: GRAND RAPIDS
MN: MINNEAPOLIS
MN:RED WING
MO: JEFFERSON CITY
MS: JACKSON
MS: PORT GIBSON
MT: HELENA
NC : CHARLOTTE
ND: BISMARCK
NE:LINCOLN
NH: CONCORD
NJ:TRENTON
NJ:WARETOWN
Date
Collected
05/20/91
04/11/91
04/08/91
04/04/91
04/05/91
04/18/91
04/05/91
04/08/91
04/08/91
04/08/91
04/08/91
06/15/91
04/05/91
04/02/91
04/08/91
04/25/91
04/18/91
04/08/91
04/05/91
04/12/91
05/06/91
04/01/91
04/09/91
04/04/91
04/03/91
04/16/91
04/09/91
04/04/91
04/12/91
04/04/91
04/17/91
04/02/91
04/09/91
04/09/91
04/04/91
04/01/91
04/02/91
04/08/91
04/09/91
04/16/91
04/17/91
nCi/1 ±2
-------
Table 10 (continued)
Tritium in Drinking Water
April - June 1991
Location
MM: 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 PHILADELPHIA
PA: PHILADELPHIA
PA: PHILADELPHIA
PA: PITTSBURGH
PC:ANCON
RI: PROVIDENCE
SC:BARNWELL
SC: COLUMBIA
SC:HARTSVILLE
SC : JENKINSVILLE
SC: SENECA
TN:KNOXVILLE
TX: AUSTIN
VA:DOSWELL
VA:LYNCHBURG
VA: VIRGINIA BEACH
WA:RICHLAND
WA : SEATTLE
WI: GENOA CITY
WI: MADISON
Date
Collected
04/08/91
04/04/91
04/29/91
04/03/91
04/04/91
06/12/91
05/28/91
04/23/91
05/08/91
04/08/91
04/04/91
04/10/91
04/03/91
04/17/91
04/17/91
04/23/91
04/23/91
04/23/91
05/08/91
04/10/91
04/05/91
04/11/91
04/02/91
04/03/91
04/12/91
04/16/91
04/03/91
04/05/91
05/03/91
04/04/91
04/11/91
04/23/91
04/02/91
04/09/91
04/03/91
nCi/1 ±2<7
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.0 0.0
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.3 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
0.2 0.2
0.1 0.2
-------
DATA - EPA
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION
AMBIENT MONITORING SYSTEM (ERAMS)
Section III. External Gamma Ambient Monitoring Program
The external gamma monitoring program, which began in October 1978, provides a continuous measure-
ment of ambient gamma exposure rates, including cosmic, at selected sites throughout the continental United
States. Data from this program are used to evaluate fluctuations in natural background due to variations in
environmental conditions and to provide a means of monitoring any significant increases in ambient gamma
levels. The program consists of approximately 22 sites representing wide geographic coverage throughout the
country.' Although exposure measurements at these few sites are not totally representative of nationwide
exposures, they do indicate national trends.
The monitoring program utilizes CaF2:Mn thermoluminescent dosimeters (TLD's). These dosimeters
are commercially available glass-bulb type dosimeters with energy compensating shields. A group of three
TLD's is located at each station or site. Dosimeters are annealed by the station operator prior to positioning
in the field. The dosimeters are returned to NAREL for readout approximately every three months. Several
dosimeters are annealed by the station operator as controls and returned with the exposed field dosimeters
to correct for any exposures accumulated during shipment.
Publication of EG AMP data has been temporarily suspended until problems with the data are resolved.
Some of these sites may not return dosimeters each period and consequently the number of sites listed may vary slightly.
20
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DATA EPA
ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION
AMBIENT MONITORING SYSTEM (ERAMS)
Section IV. Milk Program
Pasteurized Milk
This is a cooperative program with the Dairy and Lipid Products Branch, Milk Sanitation Section, Food
and Drug Administration. Milk is a reliable indicator of the general population's intake of radionuclides
since it is consumed fresh by a large segment of the population and can contain several of the biologically
important radionuclides that result from environmental releases from nuclear activities. A primary function
of this program is to obtain reliable monitoring data relative to current radionuclide concentrations and
determine any long-term trends.
Monthly samples are collected at 65 sampling sites with one or more located in each state, Puerto Rico,
and the Panama Canal Zone. The samples are composited, according to production, from the major milk
suppliers representing more than 80 percent of the milk consumed in a given population center.
The samples are analyzed for gamma emitting nuclides, which include iodine-131, barium-140, cesium-
137, and potassium. All samples collected in July are analyzed for strontium-90. Also, for the first month
of the three quarters beginning January, April and October, 10 regional composite samples of milk made up
from the states within each of EPA's 10 regions are analyzed for strontium-90.
Iodine-131, barium-140, cesium-137, and potassium are determined by gamma spectral analysis. Stron-
tium-90 is determined by beta counting a total strontium precipitate that has been chemically separated by
ion exchange.
Tables 11-13 contain the concentrations of radionuclides in pasteurized milk for April June 1991.
Table 14 contains the concentrations of strontium-90 in pasteurized milk EPA Regional Composites for
April - June 1991.
21
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Table 11
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
April 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
AZ: PHOENIX
CA:LOS ANGELES
CA: SACRAMENTO
CA:SAN FRANCISCO
CT: HARTFORD
DE: DOVER
FL: TAMPA
GA: ATLANTA
HI: HONOLULU
IA:DES MOINES
ID: IDAHO FALLS
IL: CHICAGO
IN: INDIANAPOLIS
KY: LOUISVILLE
MA:BOSTON
MD: BALTIMORE
ME: PORTLAND
MI: DETROIT
MI: GRAND RAPIDS
MN:ST. PAUL
MO: KANSAS CITY
MO: ST. LOUIS
MS: JACKSON
MT: HELENA
NC : CHARLOTTE
WD:MINOT
NE : OMAHA
NH: MANCHESTER
NJ: TRENTON
NM : ALBUQUERQUE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: BUFFALO
IY:NEW YORK CITY
NY: SYRACUSE
OH: CINCINNATI
Date
Collected
04/08/91
04/01/91
04/11/91
04/04/91
04/01/91
04/03/91
04/08/91
04/17/91
04/24/91
04/03/91
04/11/91
04/09/91
04/16/91
04/03/91
04/01/91
04/01/91
04/10/91
04/11/91
04/02/91
04/11/91
04/08/91
04/03/91
04/15/91
04/03/91
04/03/91
04/29/91
04/30/91
04/01/91
04/29/91
04/08/91
04/03/91
04/09/91
04/30/91
04/01/91
04/01/91
04/02/91
04/25/91
K
g/1 ±2(7
1.84 0.08
1.61 0.10
1.61 0.14
1.44 0.16
1.69 0.09
1.61 0.08
1.55 0.07
1.45 0.15
1.55 0.12
1.42 0.11
1.78 0.24
1.63 0.14
1.69 0.12
1.66 0.09
1.56 0.12
1.61 0.13
1.57 0.18
1.67 0.13
1.57 0.16
1.56 0.14
1.76 0.12
1.85 0.09
1.74 0.14
1.61 0.09
1.63 0.12
1.50 0.10
1.88 0.14
1.62 0.16
1.54 0.08
1.32 0.10
1.55 0.08
1.60 0.08
1.69 0.12
1.61 0.12
1.55 0.12
1.58 0.17
1.61 0.08
137Cs
pCi/1 ±2
-------
Table 11 (continued)
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
April 1991
Location
OH : CLEVELAND
OK OKLAHOMA CITY
OR: PORTLAND
PA: PHILADELPHIA
PA PITTSBURGH
PR: SAN JUAN
SC : CHARLESTON
SD:RAPID CITY
TN:KNOXVILLE
TN: MEMPHIS
TX: AUSTIN
TX:FT. WORTH
VA: NORFOLK
VT: BURLINGTON
WA: SEATTLE
WA: SPOKANE
WV: CHARLESTON
Date
Collected
04/23/91
04/29/91
04/01/91
04/08/91
04/10/91
04/09/91
04/18/91
04/01/91
04/09/91
04/29/91
04/18/91
04/02/91
04/25/91
04/15/91
04/01/91
04/05/91
04/17/91
K
g/1 ±2<7
1.63 0.08
1.69 0.10
1.63 0.09
1.72 0.14
1.61 0.12
1.66 0.14
1.68 0.09
1.63 0.13
1.58 0.13
1.73 0.09
1.39 0.14
1.86 0.14
1.56 0.13
1.48 0.18
1.64 0.14
1.60 0.08
1.63 0.08
137Cs
pCi/1 ±2cr
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
140Ba
pCi/1 ±2
-------
Table 12
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
May 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
AZ: PHOENIX
CA:LOS ANGELES
CA: SACRAMENTO
CA:SAN FRANCISCO
CO: DENVER
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:ST. PAUL
MO: KANSAS CITY
MO: ST. LOUIS
MT: HELENA
NC: CHARLOTTE
ND:MINOT
NE: OMAHA
NH: MANCHESTER
NJ: TRENTON
NM: ALBUQUERQUE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: BUFFALO
NY: NEW YORK CITY
NY: SYRACUSE
OK: OKLAHOMA CITY
Date
Collected
OB/09/91
05/06/91
05/09/91
05/03/91
05/01/91
05/02/91
05/20/91
05/28/91
05/13/91
05/21/91
05/06/91
05/30/91
05/01/91
05/06/91
05/03/91
05/06/91
05/21/91
05/08/91
05/09/91
05/03/91
05/10/91
05/06/91
05/01/91
05/23/91
05/08/91
05/10/91
05/23/91
05/29/91
05/30/91
05/07/91
05/08/91
05/14/91
05/16/91
05/20/91
05/08/91
05/07/91
05/20/91
K
g/1 ±2
-------
Table 12 (continued)
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
May 1991
Location
OR : PORTLAND
PA: PHILADELPHIA
PA: PITTSBURGH
PC: CRISTOBAL
PR: SAN JUAN
SC : CHARLESTON
TN : CHATTANOOGA
TN:KNOXVILLE
TN: MEMPHIS
TX:FT. WORTH
VA : NORFOLK
VT: BURLINGTON
WA : SEATTLE
WA : SPOKANE
WV : CHARLESTON
Date
Collected
05/06/91
05/06/91
05/08/91
05/02/91
05/08/91
05/23/91
05/20/91
05/08/91
05/13/91
05/02/91
05/30/91
05/21/91
05/04/91
05/06/91
05/20/91
K
g/1 ±2
-------
Table 13
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
June 1991
Location
AL: MONTGOMERY
AR: LITTLE ROCK
AZ: PHOENIX
CA:LOS ANGELES
CA: SACRAMENTO
CA:SAN FRANCISCO
CO: DENVER
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:ST. PAUL
MO: KANSAS CITY
MO: ST. LOUIS
MS: JACKSON
MT: HELENA
ND:MINOT
WE: OMAHA
NJ: TRENTON
NM : ALBUQUERQUE
NV:LAS VEGAS
NY: BUFFALO
NY .-NEW YORK CITY
NY: SYRACUSE
OH: CINCINNATI
Date
Collected
06/07/91
06/04/91
06/06/91
06/03/91
06/03/91
06/06/91
06/20/91
06/19/91
06/18/91
06/10/91
06/17/91
06/04/91
06/17/91
06/06/91
06/04/91
06/18/91
06/04/91
06/07/91
06/05/91
06/07/91
06/07/91
06/05/91
06/03/91
06/05/91
06/17/91
06/10/91
06/06/91
06/20/91
06/26/91
06/26/91
06/04/91
06/24/91
06/28/91
06/26/91
06/03/91
06/02/91
06/27/91
K
g/1 ±2(T
1.53 0.18
1.56 0.13
1.41 0.14
1.60 0.15
1.76 0.19
1.86 0.12
1.69 0.12
1.75 0.23
1.78 0.14
1.55 0.12
1.62 0.14
1.64 0.12
1.57 0.12
1.72 0.14
1.64 0.08
1.80 0.13
1.76 0.24
1.62 0.12
1.63 0.14
1.81 0.14
1.77 0.11
1.68 0.10
1.63 0.08
1.80 0.13
1.49 0.12
1.63 0.12
1.57 0.08
1.58 0.12
1.73 0.19
1.78 0.14
1.50 0.13
1.57 0.08
1.70 0.10
1.63 0.09
1.62 0.09
1.55 0.22
1.60 0.13
187Cs
pCi/1 ±2
-------
Table 13 (continued)
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
June 1991
Location
OH: CLEVELAND
OR PORTLAND
PA: PHILADELPHIA
PA: PITTSBURGH
PR: SAN JUAN
SC : CHARLESTON
SD: RAPID CITY
TN: CHATTANOOGA
TN:KNOXVILLE
TN: MEMPHIS
TX: AUSTIN
VA: NORFOLK
VT: BURLINGTON
WA: SPOKANE
WV : CHARLESTON
WY:RIVERTON
Date
Collected
06/14/91
06/04/91
06/03/91
06/03/91
06/17/91
06/19/91
06/07/91
06/10/91
06/05/91
06/12/91
06/28/91
06/27/91
06/07/91
06/07/91
06/18/91
06/05/91
K
g/1 ±2
-------
Table 14
Strontium-90 in Pasteurized Milk
EPA Regional Composites
April - June 1991
EPA
Region
I
II
III
IV
V
VI
VII
VIII
IX
X
Collection
Date
04/12/91
04/13/91
04/18/91
04/18/91
04/15/91
04/15/91
04/15/91
04/25/91
04/15/91
04/15/91
90Sr
pCi/1 ±2
-------
Carbon-14 in Milk
Nine stations, chosen for wide geographical distribution, contribute milk samples for annual analysis
of carbon-14. These samples are monitored for carbon-14 levels in the food chain resulting from nuclear
testing. The pasteurized milk is freeze-dried and the resulting powder is pelletized for ease of combustion.
Analysis consists of combusting the samples and converting the released carbon dioxide through a series of
chemical conversions to benzene and finally measured by liquid scintillation.
The samples undergo three main steps in the chemical conversions to benzene prior to liquid scintillation
counting. They include (1) combustion of the sample to carbon dioxide, (2) conversion of the carbon dioxide
to acetylene, and (3) trimerizations of the acetlyene to benzene. The last carbon-14 results were for samples
collected during 1983-1986. 1982 and March-May 1987. They were published in Environmental Radiation
Data: Report 59.
29
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Environmental Radiation Data (ERD) is published quarterly (January, April, July, October) by the
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air,
Requests for information concerning publication and distribution of ERD should be directed to:
Charles M. Petko
Office of the Director
National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory
1504 Avenue A
Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601
Requests for information concerning the operation of ERAMS should be directed to:
John G. Griggs, Chief
Monitoring and Analytical Services Branch
National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory
1504 Avenue A
Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601
or to:
Robert S. Dyer, Chief
Environmental Studies and Statistics Branch
Analysis and Support Division (ANR-461)
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Waterside Mall East
401 M Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20460
***
&u.s. (iOvEKNMiiNi I'RINTIM; OFFICE; iw -
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