402-R-00-012
ENVIRONMENTAL
RADIATION
DATA
REPORT 102
April - June 2000
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
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Preface
Environmental Radiation Data (ERD) is compiled and published quarterly by the Office of Radiation
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). ERD is published in both hard-copy and electronic formats. Electronic reports are
available online atwww.epa.gov/narel.
The United States Environmental Protection Agency established ERAMS in 1973 with an emphasis
on identifying trends in the accumulation of long-lived radionuclides in the environment. ERAMS
is comprised of a nationwide network of sampling stations that provide air, precipitation, drinking
water, and milk samples.
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 analyses, gamma
analyses, and radionuclide-specific analyses for uranium, plutonium, strontium, iodine, radium, 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 the
Eastern Environmental Radiation Facility Radiochemistry Procedures Manual (EPA 520/5-84-006).
Station operation and sample collection are in accordance with procedures contained in the ERAMS
Manual (EPA 520/5-84-007, 008, 009).
vn
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Acknowledgments
All sampling for the Environmental Radiation Ambient Monitoring System (ERAMS) is performed
by volunteer collectors who are frequently members of the health departments or related
environmental agencies of their respective states. The National Air and Radiation Environmental
Laboratory (NAREL) on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency would like to
acknowledge the time and effort of these volunteer collectors, who are so essential to the successful
operation of ERAMS. The efforts of the sample collectors are especially appreciated during times
of emergency operation when sampling frequencies are increased and schedules are sometimes
demanding.
IX
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Data Reporting Conventions
Every laboratory measurement involves uncertainty. When there is little or no radioactivity in a
sample, one consequence of measurement uncertainty is the possibility of obtaining a measured value
that is less than zero. Such a negative result occurs when random effects in the measurement process
cause the measured value for the sample to be less than that of the blank or background, which is
subtracted from it. From April 1991 to December 1995, negative results were reported as "not
detected" or "ND," and gamma analysis results that were less than their estimated measurement
uncertainties were also reported as "ND." In January 1996 both of these practices were discontinued.
Although negative activities are physically impossible, the inclusion of negative results in the report
allows better statistical analysis of the data.
Results of gamma analyses are still reported as "ND" when gamma-emitting radionuclides are not
detected.
Measurement Uncertainty
Each measured value y is reported with an expanded uncertainty U=k uc(y), which is determined
from the combined standard uncertainty uc(y) and the coverage factor k = 2. The interval from^ - U
toy+Uis estimated to have a level of confidence of approximately 95%.
Significant Figures
Expanded uncertainties are reported to two significant figures. Measurement results are rounded to
the corresponding number of decimal places.
Detection Capability
The minimum detectable concentrations (MDCs) for each radionuclide are shown in Table 1. The
MDC is defined as the minimum concentration that gives a 95% probability of detection when the
detection criteria are chosen to give only a 5% probability of false detection in a blank sample.
XI
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Table 1
Reporting Units and Minimum Detectable Concentrations
for Radionuclide Analyses
Radionuclide
Gross Alpha
Gross Beta
Tritium
* Plutonium-23 8,23 9/240
f Uranium-234,235,238
Radium-226
Strontium-90
{Iodine-131
Cesium- 137
{ Barium-140
Potassium
Potassium-40
Media
Water
Air
Water
Precipitation
Water
Milk
Air
Water
Air
Water
Water
Milk
Water
Milk (gamma)
Water (gamma)
Water
Milk
Water
Milk
Water
Milk
Water
Water
Reporting
Unit
pCi/L
pCi/m3
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
aCi/m3
pCi/L
aCi/m3
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
pCi/L
g/L
g/L
pCi/L
Minimum
Detectable
Concentration
2
0.0015
2
2
150
150
0.75
0.1
0.75
0.1
0.02
2
1
4
4
0.3
5
5
15
15
0.06
0.06
50
* The MDC for air is based on an assumed total sample volume of 120,000 m3. Measurement by alpha
spectrometry includes combined activities of 239Pu and 240Pu, since the relative contributions of these two
isotopes cannot be determined.
f The MDC for air is based on an assumed total sample volume of 120,000 m3.
J Activity as of the day of counting.
Xlll
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1. Air Program
Airborne Participates and Precipitation
Gross beta radioactivity measurements and certain specific analyses are performed on air particulates
and precipitation samples as indicator measurements in assessing the general (national) impact of all
contributing 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
measurements are made with a G-M survey meter at 5 hours after collection to allow for decay of
natural radon isotopes and their progeny. 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 most 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 compilation of individual measurements is available from the National Air and Radiation
Environmental Laboratory, 540 South Morris Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36115-2601.
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Table 2
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
April 2000
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
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch/510
MS: Jackson
NC: Charlotte
ND: Bismarck
NH: Concord
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
NY: New York City
NY: Syracuse
NY: Yaphank
OH: Paine sville
OH: Ross
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
PA: Pittsburgh
SC: Barnwell
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
Number
of
Samples
16
6
4
8
8
7
8
8
8
4
6
8
7
8
7
8
8
8
8
4
1
8
4
5
8
5
4
8
3
7
7
8
7
8
8
2
7
7
5 -hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.6 0.3 0.4
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
1.0 0.5 0.7
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.7 0.1 0.4
0.4 0.3 0.4
0.3 0.0 0.2
0.4 0.0 0.3
1.0 0.3 0.5
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.2
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.6 0.0 0.4
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.6 0.0 0.3
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.022 0.006 0.012
0.011 0.008 0.010
0.012 0.007 0.010
0.009 0.002 0.005
0.014 0.003 0.009
0.013 0.007 0.009
0.007 0.002 0.006
0.010 0.001 0.007
0.009 0.004 0.008
0.010 0.004 0.007
0.005 0.002 0.004
0.013 0.008 0.010
0.009 0.006 0.007
0.012 0.005 0.008
0.015 0.010 0.012
0.013 0.007 0.010
0.013 0.008 0.010
0.011 0.003 0.008
0.012 0.007 0.009
0.012 0.008 0.011
0.010 0.010 0.010
0.011 0.007 0.009
0.011 0.006 0.009
0.011 0.006 0.009
0.008 0.002 0.006
0.010 0.004 0.008
0.011 0.006 0.008
0.009 0.002 0.007
0.007 0.006 0.007
0.008 0.003 0.006
0.013 0.006 0.009
0.012 0.007 0.009
0.009 0.003 0.005
0.011 0.002 0.008
0.011 0.004 0.008
0.009 0.006 0.008
0.011 0.006 0.009
0.014 0.007 0.011
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
April 2000
Location
TN: Nashville
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
TN:OakRidge/Y12W
TX: Austin
TX: El Paso
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
WA: Spokane
Number
of
Samples
8
8
8
8
8
8
6
8
2
7
7
8
5 -hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.5 0.1 0.2
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
1.1 0.3 0.6
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.011 0.007 0.009
0.009 0.006 0.008
0.008 0.005 0.007
0.009 0.006 0.007
0.010 0.006 0.007
0.010 0.006 0.008
0.012 0.007 0.010
0.018 0.010 0.013
0.010 0.008 0.009
0.009 0.002 0.007
0.008 0.003 0.005
0.014 0.004 0.008
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Table 3
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
May 2000
Location
AK: Fairbanks
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
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MS: Jackson
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NH: Concord
NM: Espanola
NM: Santa Fe
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
NY: New York City
NY: Syracuse
NY: Yaphank
OH: Paine sville
OH: Ross
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
PA: Pittsburgh
Number
of
Samples
1
16
8
4
9
9
9
9
9
9
4
9
9
8
9
8
9
9
9
9
5
9
6
4
6
9
2
9
9
4
9
2
9
8
9
6
9
9
5 -hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.3 0.4
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.7 0.3 0.5
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.7 0.1 0.3
0.6 0.1 0.3
0.7 0.0 0.3
0.6 0.1 0.3
1.6 0.2 0.7
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.2 0.2
0.3 0.0 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.0
1.0 0.3 0.5
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.7 0.1 0.2
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.008 0.008 0.008
0.027 0.007 0.015
0.014 0.009 0.011
0.014 0.009 0.012
0.008 0.002 0.004
0.013 0.004 0.008
0.011 0.007 0.009
0.010 0.002 0.007
0.020 0.003 0.010
0.012 0.008 0.010
0.013 0.007 0.009
0.007 0.002 0.004
0.018 0.008 0.011
0.010 0.005 0.008
0.011 0.005 0.008
0.019 0.007 0.012
0.012 0.005 0.009
0.016 0.008 0.011
0.009 0.001 0.005
0.012 0.004 0.008
0.012 0.007 0.010
0.016 0.011 0.013
0.013 0.010 0.012
0.012 0.010 0.010
0.008 0.007 0.008
0.011 0.001 0.006
0.014 0.010 0.013
0.034 0.005 0.012
0.012 0.005 0.009
0.016 0.003 0.009
0.014 0.003 0.008
0.011 0.006 0.009
0.013 0.003 0.008
0.016 0.005 0.009
0.017 0.006 0.012
0.006 0.003 0.004
0.017 0.005 0.010
0.015 0.005 0.010
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Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
May 2000
Location
SC: Barn-well
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
TN:OakRidge/Y12W
TX: Austin
TX: El Paso
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
WA: Spokane
Number
of
Samples
2
9
5
9
9
9
9
9
9
8
8
4
9
8
9
5 -hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.9 0.1 0.3
0.2 0.0 0.1
1.0 0.2 0.4
1.1 0.2 0.4
0.9 0.2 0.4
1.0 0.2 0.4
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.7 0.4 0.5
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.7 0.1 0.3
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.013 0.010 0.011
0.016 0.010 0.012
0.020 0.012 0.015
0.016 0.008 0.013
0.016 0.008 0.012
0.014 0.009 0.011
0.014 0.008 0.011
0.015 0.009 0.012
0.016 0.009 0.012
0.010 0.007 0.009
0.016 0.009 0.012
0.011 0.008 0.009
0.012 0.007 0.009
0.009 0.002 0.004
0.012 0.004 0.007
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Table 4
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
June 2000
Location
AK: Fairbanks
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
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
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MS: Jackson
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NH: Concord
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
NY: New York City
NY: Syracuse
NY: Yaphank
OH: Painesville
OH: Ross
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
PA: Pittsburgh
SC: Barnwell
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
Number
of
Samples
3
17
6
9
9
9
9
9
9
5
9
8
8
10
6
9
9
9
9
4
9
4
2
5
9
9
4
8
3
9
9
9
7
9
9
1
8
7
5 -hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
1.2 0.3 0.6
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.6 0.0 0.3
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.7 0.1 0.4
0.3 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.4 0.0 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
1.0 0.0 0.3
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.009 0.006 0.007
0.018 0.004 0.009
0.020 0.006 0.011
0.007 0.002 0.004
0.013 0.006 0.009
0.015 0.006 0.009
0.009 0.004 0.006
0.016 0.005 0.008
0.008 0.003 0.006
0.007 0.005 0.006
0.003 0.002 0.003
0.012 0.005 0.008
0.017 0.004 0.007
0.096 0.004 0.016
0.010 0.006 0.008
0.012 0.005 0.008
0.012 0.005 0.008
0.010 0.004 0.006
0.008 0.004 0.006
0.010 0.004 0.007
0.021 0.006 0.012
0.011 0.005 0.009
0.007 0.007 0.007
0.008 0.005 0.006
0.008 0.004 0.006
0.010 0.006 0.008
0.010 0.007 0.008
0.014 0.005 0.007
0.011 0.005 0.008
0.010 0.002 0.006
0.011 0.006 0.008
0.017 0.006 0.009
0.006 0.001 0.003
0.017 0.005 0.008
0.013 0.005 0.008
0.007 0.007 0.007
0.021 0.004 0.009
0.027 0.006 0.015
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Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
June 2000
Location
TN: Nashville
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
TN:OakRidge/Y12W
TX: Austin
TX: El Paso
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
WA: Spokane
Number
of
Samples
9
9
9
9
9
9
8
9
4
9
9
10
5 -hour Field
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.8 0.2 0.4
0.9 0.2 0.4
1.0 0.2 0.4
0.9 0.1 0.4
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.3 0.4
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.8 0.1 0.4
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.6 0.1 0.2
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.033 0.007 0.013
0.014 0.005 0.010
0.014 0.006 0.010
0.014 0.004 0.010
0.015 0.005 0.011
0.016 0.005 0.011
0.013 0.007 0.010
0.015 0.006 0.010
0.011 0.006 0.009
0.012 0.004 0.008
0.015 0.001 0.005
0.034 0.002 0.008
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Table 5
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
April 2000
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Berkeley
CO: Denver
CT: Hartford
DE: Wilmington
FL: Jacksonville
FL: Miami
HI: Honolulu
IA: Iowa City
ID: Boise
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NH: Concord
NM: Santa Fe
NY: Albany
NY: Yaphank
OH: Paine sville
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
SC: Barnwell
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
TX: Austin
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
1.61
1.97
0.5
0.8
1.02
2.40
2.42
0.97
0.53
1.0
0.69
3.9
-0.4
3.87
1.17
1.92
0.85
3.31
1.20
1.94
1.11
3.35
1.69
2.19
6.46
0.9
2.68
3.50
6.58
1.53
0.65
2.80
2.55
1.2
0.44
0.35
2.8
2.7
0.29
0.38
0.37
0.29
0.37
2.8
0.40
3.0
2.7
0.46
0.41
0.36
0.39
0.43
0.30
0.35
0.29
0.44
0.34
0.37
0.66
2.8
0.40
0.54
0.65
0.45
0.27
0.42
0.40
2.7
Specific Gamma
Activity
Nuclide pCi/L ± 2u
Pb212
Be7
T1208
Be7
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Be7
T1208
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Pb212
Pb212
Be7
ND
4.3 6.9
48 29
2.6 3.0
ND
ND
49 33
40 36
7.6 6.6
ND
ND
ND
ND
37 39
ND
ND
ND
5.2 5.4
97 55
42 44
ND
2.3 4.2
ND
58 41
4.0 6.2
58 58
4.7 7.3
40 34
3.1 4.9
ND
ND
ND
4.1 5.7
36 30
ND
ND
Note:
ND = Not Detected
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Table 6
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
May 2000
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
CA: Berkeley
CO: Denver
CT: Hartford
DE: Wilmington
FL: Jacksonville
FL: Miami
HI: Honolulu
IA: Iowa City
ID: Boise
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NH: Concord
NY: Albany
NY: Syracuse
NY: Yaphank
OH: Paine sville
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
1.08
0.81
1.03
2.92
3.73
2.54
1.33
0.78
4.22
0.90
1.38
0.90
2.04
3.19
1.23
1.58
-3.1
1.17
1.23
4.19
1.88
1.79
1.99
1.26
0.94
2.21
1.14
1.16
0.36
0.33
0.35
0.46
0.51
0.45
0.37
0.34
0.53
0.33
0.37
0.34
0.42
0.48
0.37
0.39
5.2
0.35
0.37
0.51
0.41
0.39
0.41
0.36
0.35
0.42
0.35
0.36
Specific Gamma
Activity
Nuclide pCi/L ± 2u
Be7
Be7
K40
K40
Pb212
Pb212
Pb212
Be7
T1208
Be7
Bi212
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Be7
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Pb212
T1208
Be7
Be7
Bi212
Pb212
K40
ND
ND
ND
ND
90 29
129 29
13 15
42 62
4.4 6.7
ND
7.6 5.0
ND
5.6 5.3
ND
ND
54 28
1.6 1.9
35 29
55 26
ND
ND
ND
93 30
3.1 3.3
50 28
34 27
33 23
3.8 3.7
63 27
5.4 3.6
1.8 1.9
37 31
41 41
45 40
4.8 6.2
20 28
ND
Note:
ND = Not Detected
-------
Table 6 (continued)
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
May 2000
Location
TX: Austin
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
0.51 0.31
1.71 0.41
8.27 0.70
0.33 0.30
Specific Gamma
Activity
Nuclide pCi/L ± 2u
K40 51 49
Pb212 4.6 6.4
K40 22 41
K40 59 59
Pb212 7.8 6.5
T1208 2.4 3.6
Note: ND = Not Detected
10
-------
Table 7
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
June 2000
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Berkeley
CO: Denver
CT: Hartford
DE: Wilmington
FL: Jacksonville
FL: Miami
IA: Iowa City
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NH: Concord
NM: Santa Fe
NY: Albany
NY: Syracuse
NY: Yaphank
OH: Paine sville
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
SC: Barnwell
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
TX: Austin
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
0.75
1.22
1.05
1.26
3.97
2.98
2.85
1.11
0.59
0.46
0.29
0.94
5.36
1.02
0.85
1.85
1.68
1.46
0.46
1.89
2.50
0.83
0.79
0.87
2.40
2.40
2.53
2.94
1.09
2.22
1.94
0.61
0.32
0.35
0.35
0.37
0.52
0.46
0.45
0.35
0.32
0.30
0.29
0.33
0.58
0.35
0.34
0.42
0.40
0.38
0.31
0.39
0.44
0.33
0.34
0.32
0.42
0.42
0.44
0.45
0.35
0.42
0.40
0.31
Specific Gamma
Activity
Nuclide pCi/L ± 2u
Be7
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Be7
Be7
Pb212
T1208
Pb212
Be7
Pb212
T1208
Be7
Be7
T1208
T1208
Be7
T1208
Be7
Be7
Be7
Be7
T1208
44 26
ND
ND
ND
104 47
4.4 5.9
49 26
57 25
45 24
3.1 3.5
3.3 1.7
ND
ND
4.4 6.8
ND
59 27
ND
5.9 4.0
2.4 2.0
ND
40 39
47 21
1.6 1.8
1.9 1.8
46 23
ND
ND
ND
2.8 3.3
79 49
ND
62 37
ND
22 23
ND
38 32
1.5 1.7
Note: ND = Not Detected
11
-------
Table 7 (continued)
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
June 2000
Location
TX: El Paso
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
0.72 0.33
16.23 0.95
0.23 0.28
Specific Gamma
Activity
Nuclide pCi/L ± 2u
ND
K40 40 48
T1208 3.1 3.5
Note: ND = Not Detected
12
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Table 8
Tritium in Precipitation
April - June 2000
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Berkeley
CO: Denver
CT: Hartford
DE: Wilmington
FL: Jacksonville
FL: Miami
HI: Honolulu
IA: Iowa City
ID: Boise
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NH: Concord
NM: Santa Fe
NY: Albany
NY: Syracuse
NY: Yaphank
OH: Painesville
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
SC: Barnwell
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
TX: Austin
TX: El Paso
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
April 2000
pCi/L ±2u
-43 78
-12 77
48 81
-15 76
0 77
-59 77
8 80
-3 80
-21 79
-3 78
-34 77
28 79
43 80
58 80
NS
-13 78
41 80
-5 80
-26 79
-2 77
27 79
-45 78
13 78
-33 78
NS
-43 78
-55 79
8 78
-18 80
97 85
NS
-23 78
-27 80
-23 77
NS
40 80
-20 79
28 79
May 2000
pCi/L ±2u
17 79
7 74
NS
-16 72
-2 73
75 81
60 81
85 81
12 79
2 74
61 80
-2 73
54 77
-5 73
32 79
84 82
-7 77
38 79
NS
77 82
33 76
86 81
NS
54 80
61 79
36 81
43 79
-45 72
87 82
NS
NS
20 79
37 79
-21 72
NS
4 74
54 80
-2 74
June 2000
pCi/L ±2u
-54 82
-87 71
-16 75
9 76
22 78
-5 84
-41 81
-87 80
-75 80
NS
-16 74
NS
-53 73
-53 73
-57 81
-3 84
5 75
21 76
-50 82
-65 80
-19 74
-25 83
-50 73
15 83
-20 82
-2 83
-17 82
-47 74
-47 81
95 87
87 87
-69 80
-69 81
-20 75
-39 73
NS
-26 81
-48 73
Note: NS = No Sample
13
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Plutonium and Uranium in Airborne Particulates and Precipitation
Environmental radiation levels of plutonium and uranium are determined by the analysis of annually
composited samples (air filters) collected from the continuously operating airborne paniculate
samplers.
Concentrations of plutonium-23 8, combined plutonium-239 and 240, anduranium-234,235, and 23 8
are determined by alpha spectrometry following chemical separation. The volume of air represented
by the annual composite ranges from 120,000 to 500,000 cubic meters.
Plutonium and uranium results are published when they become available.
14
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2. Drinking Water Program
The ERAMS drinking water program provides data on radionuclide concentrations in the nation's
drinking water supplies.
The program monitors ambient radiation levels in drinking water in as many as 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/L, when the
gross alpha (excluding radon and uranium) levels do not exceed 15 pCi/L, when tritium levels do not
exceed 20,000 pCi/L, when the strontium-90 levels do not exceed 8 pCi/L, and when the gross beta
levels do not exceed 50 pCi/L.
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/L and radium-228 if
the radium-226 falls between 3 and 5 pCi/L; (d) iodine-131 on one quarterly sample per year for each
station; and (e) an annual composite for plutonium-238, combined plutonium-239 and 240, and
uranium-234, 235, and 238 for stations that demonstrate gross alpha levels greater than 2 pCi/L.
15
-------
Table 9
Tritium in Drinking Water
April - June 2000
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
GA: Baxley
GA: Savannah
HI: Honolulu
IA: Cedar Rapids
ID: Idaho Falls
IL: Morris
KS: Topeka
LA: New Orleans
MD: Baltimore
MD: Conowingo
ME: Augusta
MI: Detroit
MI: Grand Rapids
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Red Wing
MO: Jefferson City
MS: Jackson
MS: Port Gibson
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NE: Lincoln
NH: Concord
NJ: Trenton
NJ: Waretown
NM: Santa Fe
Date
Collected
05/24/00
04/04/00
04/03/00
04/13/00
04/10/00
04/05/00
04/13/00
04/04/00
04/07/00
04/05/00
04/05/00
04/05/00
04/17/00
04/04/00
04/18/00
04/12/00
04/05/00
04/03/00
05/15/00
04/03/00
04/03/00
04/28/00
04/11/00
04/25/00
04/19/00
04/03/00
04/06/00
04/24/00
04/17/00
04/04/00
04/19/00
04/18/00
04/17/00
04/10/00
04/04/00
04/04/00
04/03/00
05/01/00
04/26/00
04/17/00
3H
pCi/L ±2u
81
-16
2
160
82
65
33
33
68
0
-7
-17
47
10
42
-47
13
-2
-30
-20
-23
109
19
21
49
118
49
112
8
61
45
68
458
158
77
35
-45
43
-18
3
79
77
79
81
76
76
77
75
76
73
73
71
75
80
77
78
74
78
76
68
77
79
78
75
76
79
75
78
73
77
76
76
94
83
76
75
70
79
72
75
16
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Table 9 (continued)
Tritium in Drinking Water
April - June 2000
Location
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
NY: Niagara Falls
NY: Syracuse
OH: Cincinnati
OH: E. Liverpool
OH: Painesville
OK: Oklahoma City
OR: Portland
PA: Columbia
PA: Harrisburg
PA: Philadelphia - Baxter
PA: Philadelphia - Queen
PA: Pittsburgh
RI: Providence
SC: Barnwell
SC: Columbia
SC: Jenkinsville
SC: Seneca
TN: Chattanooga
TN: Knoxville
TN: Oak Ridge - Anderson Co #768
TN: Oak Ridge - Anderson Co #772
TN: Oak Ridge - Knox Co #371
TN: Oak Ridge - Roane Co #360
TN: Oak Ridge - Roane Co #4442
TX: Austin
VA: Ashland
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Richland
WA: Seattle
WI: Genoa
Date
Collected
04/05/00
04/12/00
05/15/00
05/05/00
06/06/00
04/27/00
04/04/00
04/06/00
04/04/00
04/27/00
04/28/00
04/13/00
04/13/00
04/27/00
04/03/00
04/13/00
04/04/00
04/14/00
04/17/00
04/07/00
04/03/00
06/27/00
06/27/00
06/27/00
06/27/00
06/27/00
04/14/00
05/30/00
04/03/00
04/06/00
05/24/00
04/12/00
3H
pCi/L ±2u
-5
-10
41
11
122
75
164
-35
-28
20
105
-21
14
63
31
-48
141
78
70
121
3
15
72
48
225
389
-12
73
12
-5
25
-8
72
78
79
78
80
78
88
70
77
75
78
73
75
76
78
72
84
78
75
79
78
74
79
77
84
91
73
78
79
72
80
78
17
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18
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3. Milk Program
Pasteurized Milk
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 significant
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.
Quarterly samples are collected at approximately 55 sampling sites. 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, including iodine-131, barium-140,
cesium-137, and potassium-40. Total potassium concentrations in g/L are determined from
potassium-40 activities assuming natural isotopic abundances. All samples collected in July are
analyzed for strontium-90.
Iodine-131, barium-140, cesium-137, and potassium-40 are determined by gamma spectral analysis.
Strontium-90 is determined by beta counting a total strontium precipitate that has been chemically
separated by ion exchange.
19
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Table 10
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
April - June 2000
Location
AL: Montgomery
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Los Angeles
CA: Sacramento
CA: San Francisco
CT: Hartford
DE: Wilmington
FL: Tampa
HI: Honolulu
IA: Des Moines
IN: Indianapolis
KS: Wichita
KY: Louisville
MA: Boston
MD: Baltimore
ME: Portland
MI: Detroit
MI: Grand Rapids
MO: Jefferson City
MS: Jackson
NJ: Trenton
NM: Albuquerque
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Buffalo
NY: Syracuse
OH: Cincinnati
OH: Cleveland
OR: Portland
PA: Philadelphia
PA: Pittsburgh
PR: San Juan
SD: Rapid City
TN: Chattanooga
TN: Knoxville
TN: Memphis
TX: Ft. Worth
TX: San Antonio
VT: Montpelier
WA: Spokane
Date
Collected
04/05/00
04/17/00
04/06/00
05/15/00
04/04/00
04/05/00
04/04/00
04/11/00
04/10/00
04/24/00
04/05/00
04/10/00
04/10/00
04/18/00
04/07/00
04/10/00
04/11/00
04/04/00
05/02/00
04/07/00
04/06/00
06/23/00
04/17/00
04/07/00
04/04/00
05/15/00
04/27/00
04/06/00
04/04/00
04/05/00
04/11/00
04/14/00
04/17/00
04/25/00
06/27/00
06/23/00
04/27/00
06/02/00
04/05/00
K
g/L ±2u
1.680 0.052
1.740 0.052
1.740 0.054
1.68 0.11
1.752 0.052
1.740 0.053
1.632 0.054
1.740 0.053
1.752 0.053
1.73 0.11
1.692 0.052
1.621 0.052
1.764 0.052
1.716 0.052
1.609 0.052
1.66 0.13
1.728 0.052
1.692 0.054
1.72 0.11
1.704 0.052
1.716 0.054
1.61 0.13
1.692 0.052
1.775 0.052
1.692 0.053
1.66 0.11
1.70 0.11
1.740 0.053
1.704 0.052
1.692 0.052
1.78 0.11
1.728 0.052
1.692 0.052
1.68 0.11
1.69 0.11
1.60 0.13
1.56 0.10
1.73 0.13
1.752 0.053
137Cs
pCi/L ±2u
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
3.9 1.8
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
ND
ND
ND
140Ba
pCi/L ±2u
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
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Blj
pCi/L ±2u
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
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Note: ND = Not Detected
20
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Table 10 (continued)
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
April - June 2000
Location
WV: Charleston
Date
Collected
04/06/00
K
g/L ±2u
1.704 0.052
137Cs
pCi/L ±2u
ND
140Ba
pCi/L ±2u
ND
Blj
pCi/L ±2u
ND
Note: ND = Not Detected
21
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22
-------
For More Information
Environmental Radiation Data (ERD) is published quarterly by the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air.
Requests for information concerning the operation of ERAMS and the data that are generated should
be directed as follows:
For System Operations For Analytical Information and Data-
Rhonda Sears John Griggs
National Air and Radiation Environmental National Air and Radiation Environmental
Laboratory Laboratory
540 South Morris Avenue 540 South Morris Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601 Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601
e-mail: sears.rhonda@epa.gov e-mail: griggs.john@epa.gov
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
540 South Morris Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601
e-mail: petko.charles@epa.gov
Requests for information concerning policies of the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air should be
directed to:
William C. Conklin
USEPA - ORIA
Center for Emergency Preparedness and Clean Materials
Radiation Protection Division (MC66085)
501 Third Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
e-mail: conklin.craig@epa.gov
***
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Contents
Page
List of Tables v
Preface vii
Acknowledgments ix
Data Reporting Conventions xi
1. Air Program 1
Airborne Particulates and Precipitation 1
Plutonium and Uranium in Airborne Particulates and Precipitation 14
2. Drinking Water Program 15
3. Milk Program 19
Pasteurized Milk 19
in
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List of Tables
Table Page
1 Reporting Units and Minimum Detectable Concentrations xiii
2 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: April 2000 2
3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: May 2000 4
4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: June 2000 6
5 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: April 2000 8
6 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: May 2000 9
7 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: June 2000 11
8 Tritium in Precipitation: April - June 2000 13
9 Tritium in Drinking Water: April - June 2000 16
10 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: April - June 2000 20
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