402-R-01-901
ENVIRONMENTAL
RADIATION
DATA
REPORT 105
January - March 2001
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
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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: January 2001 2
3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: February 2001 4
4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: March 2001 6
5 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: January 2001 8
6 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: February 2001 10
7 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: March 2001 11
8 Tritium in Precipitation: January - March 2001 13
9 Tritium in Drinking Water: January - March 2001 16
10 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: January - March 2001 20
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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 at www.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 paniculate, precipitation, drinking water, and milk samples.
Sampling locations are selected to provide population and geographic coverage for the United
States. The radiation analyses performed on these samples include gross alpha and gross beta
analysis, 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 NAREL Radiochemistry Procedures Manual. 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 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 valuey 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
y - Utoy + 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 Particulates 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
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 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 analysis in a low background beta counter.
Gamma scans are performed on all filters showing gross beta activity greater than 1 pCi/m3. The
laboratory obtained values are usually lower than the field estimates because of the decay of
naturally occurring radionuclides during the time between the two measurements.
Precipitation samples are collected at most field stations that collect 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 Participates
January 2001
Location
AK: Fairbanks
AL: Montgomery /408
AL : Montgomery/4 1 1
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
IN: Indianapolis
KS: Topeka
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch/510
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
Number
of
Samples
1
10
9
7
1
9
9
9
9
9
9
4
8
9
2
9
9
8
7
9
5
3
9
2
5
7
9
9
5
9
5
8
9
9
8
9
9
1
5 -hour Fie Id
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.3 0.3
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.4 0.0 0.2
0.8 0.2 0.5
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.2 0.2
0.7 0.1 0.2
1.4 0.2 0.5
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.010 0.010 0.010
0.034 0.011 0.022
0.016 0.008 0.011
0.025 0.014 0.021
0.011 0.011 0.011
0.040 0.003 0.017
0.027 0.004 0.014
0.029 0.007 0.014
0.011 0.003 0.008
0.021 0.005 0.012
0.015 0.006 0.011
0.013 0.006 0.010
0.005 0.002 0.003
0.032 0.013 0.021
0.052 0.049 0.050
0.046 0.006 0.024
0.021 0.007 0.014
0.037 0.008 0.020
0.018 0.002 0.011
0.021 0.008 0.014
0.022 0.012 0.016
0.022 0.015 0.018
0.022 0.011 0.017
0.014 0.014 0.014
0.028 0.008 0.015
0.027 0.006 0.017
0.015 0.002 0.010
0.027 0.005 0.014
0.012 0.006 0.010
0.015 0.004 0.009
0.015 0.008 0.012
0.019 0.004 0.010
0.017 0.008 0.013
0.022 0.008 0.014
0.018 0.004 0.011
0.025 0.009 0.014
0.020 0.007 0.013
0.013 0.013 0.013
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
January 2001
Location
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
TN:OakRidge/Y12E
TN:OakRidge/Y12W
TX: Austin
TX: El Paso
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
WA: Spokane
Number
of
Samples
8
8
5
7
7
7
7
7
9
6
5
8
8
2
5 -hour Fie Id
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.5 0.0 0.1
0.6 0. 0.3
0.2 0. 0.1
0.4 0. 0.2
0.4 0. 0.3
0.3 0. 0.2
0.4 0. 0.3
0.3 0. 0.2
0.2 0.0 0.1
1.3 0.5 0.7
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.0 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.028 0.008 0.014
0.024 0.011 0.018
0.020 0.014 0.017
0.018 0.010 0.013
0.018 0.009 0.013
0.016 0.008 0.012
0.017 0.010 0.013
0.022 0.012 0.016
0.022 0.005 0.013
0.024 0.009 0.016
0.033 0.013 0.021
0.012 0.008 0.009
0.015 0.003 0.008
0.049 0.011 0.030
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Table 3
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
February 2001
Location
AL : Montgomery/4 1 1
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
IN: Indianapolis
KS: Topeka
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch/510
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
8
7
4
8
8
8
8
8
7
4
7
8
2
8
8
7
7
8
4
1
8
2
4
6
8
8
4
7
4
7
8
9
7
8
8
2
7
7
5 -hour Fie Id
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.7 0.3 0.5
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.0 0.2
0.8 0.1 0.3
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.3 0.1 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.4 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.6 0.0 0.2
0.5 0.1 0.2
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.017 0.006 0.010
0.041 0.007 0.014
0.012 0.008 0.010
0.009 0.002 0.005
0.021 0.003 0.008
0.028 0.007 0.015
0.012 0.006 0.008
0.016 0.008 0.012
0.011 0.006 0.009
0.010 0.005 0.007
0.005 0.002 0.003
0.032 0.013 0.020
0.020 0.009 0.015
0.030 0.008 0.017
0.017 0.010 0.013
0.023 0.011 0.015
0.015 0.008 0.011
0.018 0.009 0.013
0.022 0.013 0.017
0.019 0.019 0.019
0.016 0.007 0.011
0.016 0.012 0.014
0.012 0.009 0.010
0.029 0.010 0.018
0.013 0.006 0.010
0.010 0.003 0.006
0.028 0.007 0.014
0.013 0.009 0.011
0.012 0.007 0.010
0.013 0.006 0.010
0.016 0.011 0.013
0.023 0.007 0.013
0.014 0.004 0.009
0.017 0.011 0.013
0.018 0.010 0.014
0.032 0.008 0.020
0.014 0.007 0.010
0.018 0.009 0.015
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Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
February 2001
Location
TN: Nashville
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
TN:OakRidge/K25
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
TN:OakRidge/Y12E
TN:OakRidge/Y12W
TX: Austin
TX: El Paso
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
WA: Spokane
Number
of
Samples
8
7
7
7
7
7
8
8
4
7
7
7
5 -hour Fie Id
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.2 0. 0.1
0.6 0. 0.2
0.5 0. 0.2
0.5 0. 0.2
0.9 0. 0.3
0.4 0. 0.2
0.2 0. 0.1
1.2 0. 0.8
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.4 0.2 0.2
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.1 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.019 0.005 0.012
0.014 0.008 0.011
0.015 0.007 0.011
0.015 0.007 0.010
0.016 0.007 0.011
0.018 0.008 0.013
0.021 0.006 0.011
0.021 0.007 0.014
0.014 0.006 0.011
0.013 0.007 0.010
0.009 0.002 0.005
0.029 0.006 0.014
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Table 4
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
March 2001
Location
AK: Fairbanks
AL: Montgomery /408
AL : Montgomery/4 1 1
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
IN: Indianapolis
KS: Topeka
ME: Augusta
MI: Lansing
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch/510
MS: Jackson
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
Number
of
Samples
1
2
9
9
4
9
9
9
8
9
9
8
7
9
7
9
9
9
7
9
4
2
9
4
8
8
9
4
9
2
8
7
8
8
9
9
1
6
5 -hour Fie Id
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.1 0.3
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.9 0.2 0.6
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.1 0.1
0.4 0.2 0.3
0.7 0.1 0.3
0.4 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.0
0.5 0.0 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.3 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.5 0.1 0.1
0.0 0.0 0.0
0.2 0.0 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.012 0.012 0.012
0.004 0.004 0.004
0.015 0.005 0.009
0.017 0.007 0.013
0.014 0.006 0.010
0.010 0.003 0.005
0.012 0.005 0.008
0.021 0.005 0.011
0.006 0.002 0.005
0.012 0.005 0.008
0.011 0.005 0.008
0.014 0.005 0.008
0.005 0.003 0.004
0.017 0.009 0.013
0.015 0.005 0.009
0.021 0.006 0.011
0.015 0.007 0.011
0.019 0.007 0.013
0.014 0.007 0.009
0.017 0.008 0.012
0.013 0.010 0.012
0.012 0.012 0.012
0.014 0.006 0.010
0.010 0.007 0.009
0.018 0.007 0.012
0.011 0.002 0.007
0.011 0.002 0.008
0.009 0.006 0.007
0.011 0.003 0.008
0.011 0.006 0.009
0.013 0.001 0.007
0.017 0.007 0.011
0.016 0.006 0.011
0.009 0.003 0.006
0.013 0.006 0.009
0.016 0.005 0.009
0.009 0.009 0.009
0.011 0.006 0.008
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Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Participates
March 2001
Location
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
TN:OakRidge/Y12E
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
9
8
9
6
9
7
9
5 -hour Fie Id
Estimate
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.7 0.1 0.3
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.3 0. 0.2
0.4 0. 0.2
0.3 0. 0.2
0.4 0. 0.2
0.3 0. 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
1.0 0.4 0.7
0.2 0.0 0.1
0.3 0.1 0.2
0.1 0.0 0.1
0.2 0.1 0.1
NAREL Lab
Measurement
Max Min Avg
(pCi/m3)
0.021 0.007 0.013
0.018 0.005 0.012
0.012 0.004 0.009
0.012 0.004 0.009
0.012 0.003 0.009
0.013 0.004 0.009
0.015 0.005 0.011
0.014 0.007 0.010
0.017 0.007 0.011
0.015 0.006 0.009
0.010 0.003 0.006
0.007 0.002 0.004
0.014 0.005 0.009
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Table 5
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
January 2001
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Berkeley
CO: Denver
CT: Hartford
FL: Jacksonville
FL: Miami
HI: Honolulu
IA: Iowa City
ID: Boise
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch
MS: Jackson
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
OH: Painesville
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
SC: Barnwell
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
TX: Austin
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
1.66
0.55
1.09
0.08
0.89
1.34
0.86
1.72
4.14
0.92
1.54
1.98
8.85
1.51
0.47
2.2
3.44
0.77
1.89
1.45
0.45
8.92
1.24
0.39
1.74
2.90
0.49
0.73
0.71
0.40
0.31
0.37
0.27
0.35
0.38
0.34
0.43
0.54
0.35
0.38
0.41
0.73
0.41
0.32
1.1
0.50
0.33
0.41
0.38
0.33
0.72
0.37
0.31
0.40
0.47
0.32
0.34
0.32
Gamma-Emitting
Radionuclides
Nuclide pCi/L ± 1u
Be7
Bi214
T1208
Bi214
K40
Be7
Bi214
Pb214
Pb212
K40
K40
Bi214
Pb212
Be7
Pb212
Be7
K40
Be7
Be7
K40
T1208
K40
Pb212
57 29
6.6 3.0
1.8 1.6
ND
ND
6.1 2.6
11 13
ND
54 26
9.0 2.8
5.7 3.3
3.6 5.7
44 67
ND
ND
23 40
ND
8.3 7.1
5.5 6.5
ND
ND
ND
73 54
4.9 6.7
ND
82 57
19 36
ND
45 26
112 62
40 63
ND
3.1 3.7
27 40
ND
ND
6.5 6.1
Note: ND = Not Detected
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Table 5 (continued)
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
January 2001
Location
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
1.03 0.36
0.23 0.30
0.67 0.32
Gamma-Emitting
Radionuclides
Nuclide pCi/L ± 2u
ND
Pb212 4.6 6.0
Be? 51 35
Note: ND = Not Detected
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Table 6
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
February 2001
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Berkeley
CO: Denver
CT: Hartford
FL: Jacksonville
HI: Honolulu
IA: Iowa City
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
MN: Minneapolis
MS: Jackson
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
NY: Yaphank
OH: Painesville
OR: Portland
PA: Harrisburg
SC: Barnwell
SC: Columbia
TN: Knoxville
TN: Nashville
UT: Salt Lake City
VA: Lynchburg
WA: Olympia
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
0.99
1.25
1.99
0.31
0.92
1.62
0.98
1.67
0.09
0.45
0.33
0.77
0.22
1.11
1.41
0.51
2.78
2.24
2.79
0.79
1.14
1.91
1.77
0.70
0.60
1.71
4.09
0.40
0.35
0.35
0.42
0.29
0.35
0.39
0.35
0.41
0.27
0.32
0.29
0.33
0.28
0.35
0.39
0.31
0.45
0.42
0.45
0.32
0.36
0.40
0.39
0.32
0.31
0.40
0.51
0.30
Gamma-Emitting
Radionuclides
Nuclide pCi/L ± 1u
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Pb212
T1208
Be7
Pb212
Be7
T1208
Be7
Pb212
Be7
Bi214
Pb212
T1208
Be7
K40
Be7
Pb212
T1208
Pb212
T1208
K40
46 46
5.0 6.7
44 24
5.6 5.8
ND
2.3 3.6
66 38
7.2 5.9
44 38
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
2.4 3.4
76 43
5.2 6.6
60 41
15.6 7.5
5.9 6.7
2.8 3.8
73 29
33 65
59 40
5.2 6.1
2.7 3.6
7.3 5.9
3.4 3.5
ND
20 36
ND
ND
ND
ND
Note: ND = Not Detected
10
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Table 7
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
March 2001
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Berkeley
CO: Denver
CT: Hartford
FL: Jacksonville
FL: Miami
HI: Honolulu
IA: Iowa City
ID: Boise
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch
MS: Jackson
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
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
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
1.12
1.35
0.44
0.13
1.09
1.09
0.64
0.77
2.80
0.34
0.79
0.62
0.41
1.26
0.16
0.33
1.17
2.25
0.08
1.11
0.81
4.89
0.52
0.87
0.64
1.31
6.18
0.61
0.55
1.12
2.53
3.11
0.36
0.36
0.30
0.28
0.36
0.35
0.31
0.35
0.46
0.30
0.34
0.32
0.29
0.38
0.29
0.28
0.36
0.46
0.28
0.36
0.33
0.55
0.30
0.33
0.32
0.37
0.61
0.32
0.32
0.37
0.44
0.48
Gamma-Emitting
Radionuclides
Nuclide pCi/L ± 1u
Be7
Pb212
Pb212
Bi214
T1208
K40
Bi212
T1208
K40
Be7
Pb212
K40
Pb212
Be7
Be7
Pb212
T1208
Be7
Pb212
Pb212
Pb212
K40
Pb212
T1208
85 55
ND
ND
5.3 7.3
ND
ND
ND
7.3 6.8
24.1 7.8
3.6 3.8
ND
ND
ND
ND
21 29
26 25
2.8 3.5
48 30
47 49
4.8 7.1
34 36
5.2 6.8
58 61
ND
57 50
9.0 5.7
2.7 3.9
ND
ND
29 25
3.1 3.3
ND
6.2 6.7
3.2 5.2
16 29
4.7 6.2
3.3 3.4
Note: ND = Not Detected
11
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Table 7 (continued)
Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation
March 2001
Location
WA: Olympia
Gross Beta
Activity
pCi/L ±2u
0.62 0.32
Gamma-Emitting
Radionuclides
Nuclide pCi/L ± 2u
Pb212 5.2 7.0
Note: ND = Not Detected
12
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Table 8
Tritium in Precipitation
January - March 2001
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Berkeley-
CD: Denver
CT: Hartford
FL: Jacksonville
FL: Miami
HI: Honolulu
IA: Iowa City
ID: Boise
ID: Idaho Falls
KS: Topeka
MN: Minneapolis
MN: Welch
MS: Jackson
NC: Charlotte
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Albany
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
January 2001
pCi/L ±2u
-15 75
-13 76
52 79
2 75
-45 74
48 80
-56 74
-18 76
7 77
56 80
43 78
25 76
60 80
-10 76
-13 75
-20 76
21 78
-7 77
11 77
30 77
26 78
NS
24 77
23 77
69 80
113 83
-2 77
-34 75
-16 76
-2 77
NS
30 77
-41 75
-3 75
February 2001
pCi/L ±2u
19 73
-28 70
-28 69
-7 71
-37 69
810 100
-39 73
NS
-44 69
-62 68
NS
58 74
-41 70
12 72
NS
-62 69
NS
29 76
41 74
21 71
63 78
-12 75
-2 70
-21 69
52 78
246 83
4 71
-39 70
-60 69
NS
NS
30 73
76 79
75 86
March 2001
pCi/L ±2u
20 75
-2 75
-39 73
-16 74
-4 75
70 77
63 76
8 74
-2 75
5 75
-39 73
-26 73
-21 74
-40 73
21 76
41 76
NS
68 77
-72 71
-35 74
51 76
84 78
64 77
-60 72
13 76
123 79
50 77
118 79
106 79
-24 73
-39 73
-23 73
68 78
-75 71
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
particulate samplers.
Concentrations of plutonium-238, combined plutonium-239 and 240, and uranium-234, 235, and
238 are determined by alpha spectrometry following chemical separation. The volume of air
represented by the annual composite typically 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. Samples are taken at 78 sites which are either major population
centers or selected nuclear facility environs.
Drinking water data are used 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.
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
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Table 9
Tritium in Drinking Water
January - March 2001
Location
AK: Fairbanks
AL: Dothan
AL: Muscle Shoals
AL: Scottsboro
AR: Little Rock
CA: Berkeley
CA: Los Angeles
CT: Hartford
DE: Dover
FL: Miami
FL: Tampa
GA: Baxley
GA: Savannah
HI: Honolulu
IA: Cedar Rapids
ID: Idaho Falls
IL: W. Chicago
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
NC: Wilmington
ND: Bismarck
NE: Lincoln
NH: Manchester
NJ: Trenton
NJ: Waretown
NM: Santa Fe
NY: Albany
Date
Collected
01/18/01
01/17/01
01/11/01
01/12/01
01/09/01
02/07/01
01/16/01
01/12/01
01/16/01
01/23/01
02/15/01
01/16/01
01/17/01
01/31/01
01/12/01
01/22/01
02/09/01
01/08/01
01/16/01
01/09/01
01/10/01
02/08/01
01/11/01
01/17/01
03/02/01
01/29/01
01/22/01
01/16/01
01/10/01
01/09/01
01/24/01
01/17/01
01/16/01
01/10/01
01/10/01
01/09/01
01/17/01
01/17/01
02/20/01
01/11/01
3H
pCi/L ±2u
-23
5
102
35
-5
-32
-2
-10
-9
47
48
-38
-2
-13
-24
11
-13
-64
33
50
36
60
-20
125
16
104
-6
31
-39
-11
89
740
-42
16
-5
-23
-17
-57
-32
-48
76
74
81
78
79
72
73
73
73
78
78
72
77
76
73
78
77
74
76
78
78
80
78
79
73
82
77
75
75
76
81
100
72
77
76
76
73
71
72
71
16
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Table 9 (continued)
Tritium in Drinking Water
January - March 2001
Location
NY: Syracuse
OH: Cincinnati
OH: E. Liverpool
OH: Painesville
OH: Toledo
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
Date
Collected
01/25/01
03/05/01
03/02/01
01/08/01
01/11/01
01/10/01
01/11/01
02/08/01
02/08/01
01/23/01
01/23/01
03/02/01
01/09/01
01/09/01
01/09/01
01/18/01
01/16/01
01/07/01
01/08/01
03/08/01
02/22/01
02/22/01
02/26/01
02/26/01
01/09/01
01/16/01
01/08/01
02/05/01
01/15/01
3H
pCi/L ±2u
28
-24
-4
110
41
-35
-28
92
65
18
84
-5
-14
3
168
-23
9
87
-31
30
-17
-5
16
658
-8
59
64
127
-29
78
71
73
81
79
74
73
81
80
78
81
72
76
74
84
73
73
80
76
73
72
72
73
99
78
80
79
83
76
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 certain 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. During the third quarter
collection, one-fourth of the samples are also analyzed for strontium-90 on a four year rotating
schedule.
19
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Table 10
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
January - March 2001
Location
AL: Montgomery
AR: Little Rock
AZ: Phoenix
CA: Los Angeles
CA: Sacramento
CA: San Francisco
CT: Hartford
DE: Wilmington
FL: Tampa
GA: Atlanta
HI: Honolulu
IA: Des Moines
IL: Chicago
IN: Indianapolis
KS: Wichita
KY: Louisville
MA: Boston
MD: Baltimore
ME: Portland
MI: Detroit
MI: Grand Rapids
MO: Jefferson City
MS: Jackson
NC: Charlotte
NJ: Trenton
NM: Albuquerque
NV: Las Vegas
NY: Buffalo
NY: Syracuse
OH: Cincinnati
OH: Cleveland
OR: Portland
PA: Philadelphia
PA: Pittsburgh
SD: Rapid City
TN: Chattanooga
TN: Knoxville
TN: Memphis
TX: Ft. Worth
Date
Collected
01/22/01
03/20/01
01/29/01
01/11/01
02/15/01
01/16/01
01/18/01
01/17/01
01/11/01
01/18/01
01/22/01
01/08/01
02/05/01
01/18/01
01/22/01
01/17/01
01/29/01
01/12/01
03/16/01
01/23/01
01/19/01
02/14/01
01/16/01
01/22/01
03/08/01
01/11/01
01/23/01
01/18/01
01/11/01
02/05/01
01/29/01
01/09/01
01/09/01
01/09/01
01/18/01
01/09/01
01/16/01
01/17/01
01/30/01
K
g/L ±2u
1.67 0.11
1.64 0.11
1.66 0.11
1.70 0.11
1.68 0.11
.68 0.11
.72 0.11
.70 0.11
.73 0.11
.69 0.11
.72 0.11
.69 0.11
.63 0.10
.66 0.11
.69 0.11
.72 0.11
.69 0.11
.75 0.11
.74 0.11
.76 0.11
.68 0.11
.70 0.11
.68 0.11
.70 0.11
.70 0.11
.64 0.11
.69 0.11
.69 0.11
.70 0.11
.67 0.11
.72 0.11
.74 0.11
.76 0.11
.68 0.11
.67 0.11
.67 0.11
.69 0.11
.67 0.11
.64 0.11
137Cs
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
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
131j
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
January - March 2001
Location
TX: San Antonio
VA: Norfolk
VT: Montpelier
WA: Spokane
WA: Tacoma
WV: Charleston
Date
Collected
01/23/01
01/23/01
02/23/01
01/17/01
03/19/01
01/10/01
K
g/L ±2u
1.57 0.10
1.74 0.11
1.60 0.13
1.67 0.11
1.67 0.12
1.66 0.13
137Cs
pCi/L ±2u
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
140Ba
pCi/L ±2u
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
131j
pCi/L ±2u
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
ND
Note: ND = Not Detected
21
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22
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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:
Frank Marcinowski
USEPA - ORIA
Center for Emergency Preparedness and Clean Materials
Radiation Protection Division (MC66085)
501 Third Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20001
e-mail: marcinowski.frank@epa.gov
***
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