402-R-08-015 ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION DATA REVIEW DRAFT National Air and Radiation Environmental Laboratory 540 S. Morris Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36115 ------- ------- 402-R-08-015 ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION DATA REPORT 134 April - June 2008 United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air ------- This page intentionally left blank 11 ------- 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 16 Beta Activity in Precipitation 16 2. Water Program 17 3. Milk Program 21 Pasteurized Milk 21 in ------- This page intentionally left blank IV ------- List of Tables Table Page 1 Reporting Units and Minimum Detectable Concentrations xiii 2 Gross Beta in Airborne Participates: April 2008 2 3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: May 2008 5 4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: June 2008 8 5 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: April 2008 11 6 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: May 2008 12 7 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation: June 2008 14 8 Tritium in Precipitation: April - June 2008 15 9 Tritium in Drinking Water: April - June 2008 18 10 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: April - June 2008 22 ------- This page intentionally left blank VI ------- Preface Environmental Radiation Data(EKD) 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 RadNet monitoring system (formerly 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 RadNet in 1973 with an emphasis on identifying trends in the accumulation of long-lived radionuclides in the environ- ment. RadNet is comprised of a nationwide network of sampling stations that provide air particulate, 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 RadNet samples are contained in the NAREL Radiochemistry Procedures Manual. Station operation and sample collection are in accordance with procedures contained in theERAMSManual(EPA 520/5-84-007, 008, 009). vn ------- This page intentionally left blank Vlll ------- Acknowledgments All sampling for the RadNet monitoring system (formerly 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 RadNet. 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 ------- This page intentionally left blank ------- 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 measure- ment process cause the measured value for the sample to be less than that of the blank or back- ground, 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 not detected. are Measurement Uncertainty Each measured valuers reported with an expanded uncertainty U=kuc(y), which is determined from the combined standard uncertainty uc(y) and the coverage factor k=1. 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 sample that is analyte-free. XI ------- This page intentionally left blank xn ------- 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 ------- This page intentionally left blank xiv ------- 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 natural radon isotopes and their progeny to 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 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. ------- Table 2 Gross Beta in Airborne Participates April 2008 Location AL: Birmingham AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix AZ: Phoenix/956 CA: Anaheim CA: Fresno CA: Los Angeles CA: Richmond CA: Riverside CA: San Bernardino Cty. CA: San Diego CA: San Francisco CA: San Jose CO: Denver DC: Washington DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville FL: Miami FL: Orlando FL: Tampa GA: Atlanta HI: Honolulu IA: Des Moines IA: Iowa City ID: Idaho Falls IL: Chicago IN: Indianapolis KS: Kansas City KS: Topeka KY: Lexington LA: Baton Rouge MD: Baltimore MI: Detroit MI: Lansing MN: St. Paul MN: Welch/510 MO: St. Louis Number of Samples 7 8 7 5 9 8 4 8 4 9 9 4 4 8 8 8 6 7 9 5 5 4 1 8 8 8 8 7 8 8 3 7 5 8 8 4 5 5 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.2 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.2 1.2 0.2 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 -0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.009 0.005 0.007 0.011 0.005 0.007 0.045 0.008 0.017 0.017 0.012 0.014 0.022 0.009 0.017 0.022 0.006 0.012 0.011 0.008 0.009 0.019 0.005 0.010 0.007 0.004 0.005 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.014 0.007 0.011 0.014 0.007 0.011 0.005 0.003 0.004 0.008 0.002 0.004 0.016 0.006 0.010 0.010 0.003 0.006 0.012 0.004 0.009 0.009 0.004 0.007 0.037 0.003 0.011 0.016 0.004 0.011 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.006 0.005 0.005 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.021 0.005 0.012 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.018 0.005 0.012 0.023 0.007 0.017 0.013 0.005 0.009 0.015 0.007 0.012 0.007 0.003 0.005 0.013 0.005 0.008 0.016 0.007 0.011 0.017 0.005 0.009 0.016 0.005 0.011 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.016 0.006 0.011 0.007 0.003 0.005 ------- Table 2 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates April 2008 Location MS: Jackson NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NH: Concord NJ: Edison NJ: Trenton NM: Santa Fe NV: Las Vegas/9 13 NY: Albany NY: Lockport NY: New York City NY: Yaphank OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OH: Columbus OH: Painesville OH: Ross OK: Oklahoma City OR: Portland PA: Harrisburg PA: Pittsburgh RI: Providence SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SD: Pierre TN: Knoxville TN: Memphis TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel TN: Oak Ridge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W TX: Austin TX: Austin/Concordia TX: Dallas TX: El Paso TX: Ft. Worth Number of Samples 7 9 5 4 7 6 8 1 2 5 8 6 8 8 8 4 7 9 8 9 8 5 4 3 3 7 8 3 8 7 8 8 8 9 9 9 8 9 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 1.4 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 6.3 6.3 6.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.5 0.5 1.1 0.8 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.4 0.8 0.1 0.5 0.7 0.2 0.3 1.0 0.1 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.014 0.003 0.008 0.011 0.004 0.007 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.016 0.010 0.012 0.011 0.004 0.007 0.007 0.001 0.005 0.013 0.005 0.009 0.016 0.016 0.016 0.008 0.005 0.006 0.012 0.004 0.008 0.010 0.003 0.006 0.022 0.006 0.014 0.006 0.003 0.005 0.007 0.002 0.005 0.017 0.006 0.011 0.037 0.007 0.015 0.013 0.006 0.010 0.026 0.006 0.014 0.007 0.002 0.005 0.013 0.002 0.007 0.025 0.005 0.013 0.019 0.005 0.008 0.006 0.003 0.005 0.009 0.005 0.008 0.015 0.005 0.011 0.028 0.002 0.014 0.022 0.007 0.012 0.015 0.011 0.013 0.012 0.006 0.009 0.011 0.006 0.008 0.013 0.008 0.010 0.013 0.007 0.009 0.012 0.006 0.009 0.013 0.004 0.010 0.047 0.005 0.013 0.015 0.004 0.008 0.016 0.010 0.013 0.007 0.002 0.005 ------- Table 2 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates April 2008 Location TX: Houston TX: San Antonio UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg VA: Richmond VA: Virginia Beach WA: Olympia WA: Spokane WI: Milwaukee Number of Samples 9 9 7 8 8 9 7 8 8 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.012 0.007 0.010 0.043 0.009 0.016 0.012 0.004 0.007 0.009 0.002 0.006 0.011 0.002 0.006 0.010 0.003 0.005 0.014 0.004 0.009 0.025 0.006 0.014 ------- Table 3 Gross Beta in Airborne Participates May 2008 Location AL: Birmingham AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix AZ: Phoenix/956 CA: Anaheim CA: Fresno CA: Los Angeles CA: Richmond CA: Riverside CA: San Bernardino Cty. CA: San Diego CA: San Francisco CA: San Jose CO: Denver DC: Washington DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville FL: Miami FL: Orlando FL: Tampa GA: Atlanta HI: Honolulu IA: Des Moines IA: Iowa City ID: Idaho Falls IL: Chicago IN: Indianapolis KS: Kansas City KS: Topeka KY: Lexington LA: Baton Rouge MD: Baltimore MI: Detroit MI: Lansing MN: St. Paul MO: St. Louis MS: Jackson Number of Samples 9 9 5 4 9 8 5 6 4 9 9 4 4 9 9 9 9 7 8 9 9 4 8 9 9 9 8 4 9 9 8 9 4 8 9 4 5 8 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.9 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.2 1.3 0.4 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.1 4.0 0.2 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.021 0.007 0.012 0.014 0.007 0.010 0.020 0.009 0.014 0.018 0.010 0.013 0.023 0.011 0.015 0.014 0.004 0.008 0.013 0.006 0.009 0.013 0.004 0.009 0.004 0.002 0.004 0.009 0.002 0.006 0.012 0.004 0.009 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.004 0.001 0.002 0.006 0.002 0.003 0.013 0.005 0.009 0.009 0.003 0.005 0.016 0.006 0.010 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.015 0.006 0.011 0.012 0.004 0.008 0.014 0.006 0.010 0.011 0.006 0.008 0.007 0.003 0.005 0.011 0.005 0.007 0.014 0.004 0.009 0.012 0.004 0.008 0.017 0.004 0.010 0.024 0.012 0.019 0.014 0.005 0.009 0.014 0.006 0.009 0.007 0.004 0.006 0.013 0.007 0.009 0.014 0.006 0.009 0.014 0.003 0.006 0.015 0.003 0.008 0.005 0.002 0.004 0.009 0.004 0.006 0.017 0.009 0.012 ------- Table 3 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates May 2008 Location NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NE: Omaha NH: Concord NJ: Edison NJ: Trenton NV: Las Vegas/9 13 NY: Albany NY: Hauppauge NY: Lockport NY: Yaphank OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OH: Columbus OH: Painesville OH: Ross OK: Oklahoma City OR: Portland PA: Harrisburg PA: Pittsburgh RI: Providence SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SD: Pierre TN: Knoxville TN: Memphis TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel TN: Oak Ridge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W TX: Austin TX: Austin/Concordia TX: Dallas TX: El Paso TX: Ft. Worth Number of Samples 9 4 2 2 3 7 6 9 4 4 6 9 7 9 8 8 7 8 7 8 8 8 5 3 3 6 9 3 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 8 9 9 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.9 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 1.6 0.3 0.9 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.6 0. 0.3 0.6 0. 0.4 0.7 0. 0.4 0.6 0. 0.4 0.3 0. 0.2 0.7 0. 0.3 0.2 0. 0.2 0.2 0. 0.1 0.3 0. 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.065 0.005 0.023 0.010 0.007 0.008 0.010 0.007 0.008 0.006 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.004 0.005 0.009 0.002 0.006 0.010 0.003 0.006 0.013 0.003 0.007 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.009 0.005 0.006 0.004 0.003 0.004 0.010 0.002 0.005 0.008 0.002 0.004 0.012 0.003 0.006 0.015 0.005 0.009 0.011 0.005 0.007 0.013 0.003 0.008 0.016 0.006 0.012 0.007 0.004 0.006 0.011 0.003 0.007 0.024 0.006 0.011 0.013 0.005 0.008 0.007 0.002 0.005 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.011 0.009 0.010 0.019 0.007 0.011 0.019 0.005 0.009 0.066 0.005 0.030 0.018 0.007 0.012 0.016 0.007 0.011 0.017 0.008 0.012 0.018 0.007 0.011 0.017 0.007 0.012 0.014 0.007 0.011 0.012 -0.004 0.008 0.011 0.005 0.006 0.015 0.009 0.011 0.008 0.005 0.006 ------- Table 3 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates May 2008 Location TX: Houston TX: San Antonio UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg VA: Richmond VA: Virginia Beach WA: Olympia WA: Spokane WI: Milwaukee WV: Charleston Number of Samples 8 8 8 8 9 7 9 9 9 2 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.0 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.8 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.034 0.006 0.014 0.014 0.005 0.010 0.018 0.009 0.012 0.015 0.006 0.010 0.010 0.002 0.007 0.010 0.004 0.006 0.007 0.001 0.003 0.013 0.003 0.007 0.024 0.005 0.011 0.007 0.006 0.006 ------- Table 4 Gross Beta in Airborne Participates June 2008 Location AK: Anchorage AL: Birmingham AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix AZ: Phoenix/956 CA: Anaheim CA: Fresno CA: Los Angeles CA: Richmond CA: Riverside CA: San Bernardino Cty. CA: San Diego CA: San Francisco CA: San Jose CO: Denver DC: Washington DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville FL: Miami FL: Orlando FL: Tampa GA: Atlanta HI: Honolulu IA: Des Moines IA: Iowa City ID: Idaho Falls IL: Chicago KS: Kansas City KS: Topeka KY: Lexington LA: Baton Rouge MD: Baltimore MI: Detroit MI: Lansing MN: St. Paul MO: St. Louis MS: Jackson Number of Samples 3 4 8 9 4 10 8 5 8 4 8 8 4 4 9 9 7 8 4 9 7 9 4 9 9 9 9 9 8 9 7 9 4 9 9 4 2 7 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.6 0.2 0.4 0.1 -0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.0 1.1 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 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 0.0 0.2 1.7 0.2 0.8 1.1 0.5 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 -0.0 -0.0 -0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.010 0.007 0.008 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.015 0.005 0.009 0.016 0.012 0.014 0.020 0.006 0.015 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.011 0.004 0.008 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.005 0.002 0.004 0.009 0.005 0.007 0.015 0.008 0.012 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.005 0.001 0.003 0.005 0.001 0.004 0.016 0.005 0.008 0.008 0.002 0.005 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.007 0.005 0.006 0.012 0.003 0.007 0.013 0.005 0.007 0.014 0.004 0.007 0.013 0.006 0.009 0.004 0.001 0.002 0.009 0.004 0.006 0.009 0.004 0.007 0.013 0.005 0.008 0.011 0.004 0.008 0.015 0.006 0.010 0.012 0.005 0.008 0.008 0.004 0.007 0.009 0.004 0.007 0.010 0.009 0.010 0.010 0.002 0.006 0.010 0.002 0.006 0.006 0.003 0.004 0.004 0.003 0.003 0.017 0.006 0.010 ------- Table 4 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates June 2008 Location NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NE: Omaha NH: Concord NJ: Edison NJ: Trenton NV: Las Vegas/9 13 NY: Albany NY: Hauppauge NY: Lockport NY: Yaphank OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OH: Columbus OH: Painesville OH: Ross OK: Oklahoma City OR: Portland PA: Harrisburg PA: Pittsburgh RI: Providence SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SD: Pierre TN: Knoxville TN: Memphis TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel TN: Oak Ridge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W TX: Austin TX: Dallas TX: El Paso TX: Ft. Worth TX: Houston Number of Samples 3 3 6 9 7 5 6 7 2 4 9 9 9 8 9 7 7 8 8 4 9 8 4 3 1 8 9 2 9 9 9 9 9 7 7 7 8 7 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.2 0.2 0.7 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.2 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 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.7 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 2.0 0.4 1.0 0.5 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.2 0.2 0.6 1.2 0.2 0.6 1.0 0.2 0.6 1.0 0.2 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.8 0.1 0.2 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.013 0.004 0.010 0.009 0.007 0.008 0.013 0.003 0.009 0.008 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.005 0.006 0.006 0.003 0.005 0.009 0.005 0.007 0.009 0.006 0.007 0.006 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.003 0.005 0.009 0.001 0.006 0.009 0.003 0.005 0.007 0.002 0.005 0.012 0.004 0.010 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.009 0.003 0.007 0.028 0.007 0.012 0.007 0.002 0.004 0.007 0.003 0.005 0.013 0.007 0.010 0.011 0.003 0.007 0.007 0.004 0.005 0.008 0.007 0.008 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.006 0.010 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.009 0.006 0.008 0.025 0.007 0.012 0.025 0.006 0.011 0.023 0.008 0.012 0.021 0.007 0.012 0.018 0.005 0.011 0.013 0.004 0.007 0.009 0.003 0.006 0.012 0.006 0.010 0.007 0.003 0.004 0.029 -0.005 0.008 ------- Table 4 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates June 2008 Location TX: San Antonio UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg VA: Richmond VA: Virginia Beach WA: Olympia WA: Seattle WA: Spokane WI: Milwaukee WV: Charleston Number of Samples 7 2 8 7 7 9 8 9 7 5 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.8 0.0 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.2 1.0 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.0 0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.009 0.004 0.006 0.015 0.009 0.012 0.013 0.006 0.010 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.011 0.007 0.009 0.004 0.001 0.002 0.004 0.002 0.003 0.009 0.002 0.005 0.017 0.009 0.012 0.011 0.007 0.009 10 ------- Table 5 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation April 2008 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock CA: Richmond CO: Denver CT: Hartford DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville GA: Atlanta IA: Iowa City ID: Idaho Falls KS: Kansas City MA: Boston MI: Lansing MN: St. Paul NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NY: Albany NY: Yaphank OH: Painesville OR: Portland PA: Harrisburg TN: Knoxville TN:OakRidge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN:OakRidge/Y12E TX: Austin UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg WA: Olympia Gross Beta Activity pCi/L ±2« 1.97 0.45 0.23 0.59 1.7 2.9 6.3 1.2 1.45 0.41 1.80 0.45 1.63 0.45 1.65 0.43 0.20 0.58 0.67 0.64 1.04 0.63 1.88 0.43 1.14 0.69 1.53 0.70 1.14 0.38 1.42 0.41 1.19 0.70 1.61 0.43 2.64 0.53 1.30 0.65 1.18 0.64 1.99 0.46 1.12 0.37 1.9 1.6 2.10 0.47 1.51 0.40 1.85 0.75 1.83 0.76 1.02 0.36 1.17 0.64 Gamma-Emitting Radionuclides Nuclide pCi/L ± 2« Be7 Pb212 Be7 K40 T1208 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 Pb212 Be7 Be7 Be7 K40 Be7 T1208 T1208 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 K40 Pb212 Be7 27 18 1.7 2.4 24 18 17 14 14 14 37 17 39 19 34 17 ND 51 12 1.0 1.0 ND ND 48 18 55 18 54 42 20 35 ND 38 19 0.9 1.2 1.3 1.3 ND 27 18 39 10 ND ND ND 95 38 47 18 34 18 44 18 ND ND 82 38 21 34 5.9 6.7 35 17 Note: ND = Not Detected 11 ------- Table 6 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation May 2008 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock CA: Richmond CO: Denver CT: Hartford DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville GA: Atlanta IA: Iowa City ID: Idaho Falls KS: Kansas City MA: Boston MI: Lansing MN: St. Paul NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington NY: Albany NY: Yaphank OH: Painesville OR: Portland PA: Harrisburg TN: Knoxville TN: Nashville TN:OakRidge/K25 Gross Beta Activity pCi/L ±2« 1.65 0.43 1.49 0.41 0.89 0.65 1.25 0.39 2.14 0.48 1.13 0.39 0.86 0.38 1.61 0.43 1.26 0.39 5.4 1.3 1.66 0.43 4.96 0.74 1.69 0.46 1.82 0.45 2.09 0.48 0.64 0.34 4.28 0.71 1.61 0.43 1.59 0.42 1.65 0.42 3.23 0.58 1.68 0.44 0.90 0.35 1.85 0.44 Gamma-Emitting Radionuclides Nuclide pCi/L ± 2« Be7 T1208 Be7 Be7 Be7 K40 Be7 Th227 K40 Be7 Pb212 Be7 Be7 K40 T1208 Be7 Pb212 K40 Pb212 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 K40 Pb212 T1208 Be7 K40 Pb212 Be7 K40 39 16 1.6 1.3 31.2 9.8 ND ND 81 19 29 14 9 12 ND 54 16 4.2 3.6 ND 28 46 29.7 8.8 0.70 0.82 118 22 ND 35 18 12 13 1.0 1.3 100 32 4.5 5.9 19 34 9.7 6.0 32 14 29 14 ND 31 21 71 32 32 34 10.2 5.9 2.8 3.3 65 36 37 36 5.2 6.3 80 19 12 13 Note: ND = Not Detected 12 ------- Table 6 (continued) Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation May 2008 Location TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E TX: Austin UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg WA: Olympia Gross Beta Activity pCi/L ±2« 3.49 0.60 1.96 0.47 4.41 0.72 3.68 0.65 2.69 0.53 5.64 0.83 Gamma-Emitting Radionuclides Nuclide pCi/L ± 2« Be7 58 18 Be7 58 17 Be7 30 27 Be7 18 15 ND Be7 152 33 Note: ND = Not Detected 13 ------- Table 7 Gross Beta and Specific Gamma in Precipitation June 2008 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock CO: Denver CT: Hartford DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville GA: Atlanta IA: Iowa City ID: Idaho Falls MA: Boston MI: Lansing MN: St. Paul NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NH: Concord NY: Albany NY: Yaphank OH: Painesville PA: Harrisburg TN: Knoxville TN:OakRidge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN:OakRidge/Y12E TX: Austin UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg WA: Olympia Gross Beta Activity pCi/L ±2« 0.78 0.34 0.74 0.39 1.41 0.40 3.71 0.63 1.15 0.40 1.57 0.45 3.02 0.56 1.12 0.43 1.51 0.45 3.70 0.62 1.49 0.44 1.49 0.41 0.78 0.35 1.52 0.41 3.19 0.58 2.32 0.50 7.6 1.9 1.99 0.46 6.89 0.96 2.33 0.52 1.88 0.45 3.03 0.57 1.98 0.52 3.1 1.4 1.35 0.46 4.26 0.69 0.87 0.35 Gamma-Emitting Radionuclides Nuclide pCi/L ± 2« Be7 K40 Be7 Pb212 Be7 Be7 K40 Pb212 K40 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 Be7 K40 T1208 Be7 Be7 K40 T1208 Be7 K40 ND ND ND 89 20 ND 11 12 110 38 5.2 6.8 ND ND 92 20 18 13 11 12 ND 3.9 6.2 8 12 72 40 53 17 28 15 42 16 ND ND 76 20 20 13 1.3 1.4 52 17 37 16 10 11 ND 3.6 3.3 ND 18 16 9 13 Note: ND = Not Detected 14 ------- Table 8 Tritium in Precipitation April - June 2008 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock CA: Richmond CO: Denver CT: Hartford DE: Wilmington FL: Jacksonville GA: Atlanta IA: Iowa City ID: Idaho Falls KS: Kansas City MA: Boston MI: Lansing MN: St. Paul NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NH: Concord NY: Albany NY: Yaphank OH: Painesville OR: Portland PA: Harrisburg TN: Knoxville TN: Nashville TN: Oak Ridge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E TX: Austin UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg WA: Olympia April 2008 pCi/L ±2« -3 72 11 87 30 88 22 87 17 74 42 74 -22 72 -2 73 0 73 45 88 17 88 -2 72 76 76 -20 71 23 74 -12 72 28 88 NS 25 74 27 75 -3 72 -2 86 67 81 16 74 NS 91 77 116 77 72 76 44 89 60 89 33 74 9 86 May 2008 pCi/L ±1u 23 86 54 79 79 79 57 78 84 90 40 88 -9 84 53 87 108 81 75 79 113 82 65 89 30 87 77 79 -13 84 47 88 NS NS 15 86 4 86 8 86 55 79 53 88 37 87 -6 85 26 86 137 91 2 85 120 82 27 77 27 88 70 80 June 2008 pCi/L ±2« 27 80 -73 75 NS -34 77 58 82 -12 79 12 79 23 80 -37 77 -64 75 -39 77 38 80 75 82 56 82 NS 17 80 66 82 59 81 -13 78 81 83 14 80 NS 17 79 -6 79 NS -40 76 71 82 -36 76 -42 77 -43 76 25 80 -31 76 Note: NS = No Sample 15 ------- Plutonium and Uranium in Airborne Particulates 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-particle 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. Beta Activity in Precipitation All stations routinely submit precipitation samples as rainfall, snow, or sleet occurs. The precipitation samples are composited at NAREL into single monthly samples for each station. Each month that precipitation occurs, an aliquant of the composited sample is analyzed for gross beta, tritium, and gamma-emitting radionuclides. 16 ------- 2. Drinking Water Program The RadNet 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. 17 ------- Table 9 Tritium in Drinking Water April - June 2008 Location AK: Fairbanks AL: Dothan AL: Montgomery AL: Muscle Shoals AL: Scottsboro AR: Little Rock CA: Los Angeles CA: Richmond CO: Denver CT: Hartford DE: Dover FL: Miami FL: Tampa GA: Baxley GA: Savannah HI: Honolulu IA: Cedar Rapids ID: Boise ID: Idaho Falls IL: Morris IL: W. Chicago KS: Topeka LA: New Orleans MD: Baltimore MD: Conowingo MI: Detroit MI: Grand Rapids MN: St. Paul MN: Welch - Red Wing Location Ch MO: Jefferson City MS: Jackson MS: Port Gibson MT: Helena NC: Raleigh ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NJ: Trenton NJ: Waretown NM: Santa Fe NY: Albany Date Collected 05/07/08 04/01/08 04/03/08 04/15/08 04/14/08 04/02/08 04/02/08 04/02/08 04/01/08 04/04/08 04/01/08 04/07/08 04/07/08 05/21/08 05/28/08 06/27/08 04/04/08 04/28/08 04/14/08 04/03/08 04/07/08 04/01/08 06/25/08 04/01/08 04/15/08 04/01/08 04/30/08 04/23/08 04/08/08 04/07/08 04/02/08 04/02/08 04/09/08 04/21/08 04/29/08 04/04/08 04/04/08 04/08/08 05/07/08 04/03/08 3H pCi/L ±2« -4 87 18 86 -27 83 49 90 9 88 27 83 74 85 6 80 47 86 17 80 4 74 61 85 40 85 -28 88 -49 85 -31 75 14 75 17 81 24 89 -33 79 -15 81 33 85 65 80 2 84 -15 87 42 82 10 90 -20 86 -14 74 48 76 -31 83 -17 85 29 75 6 88 -31 80 -4 79 -21 77 -23 73 4 88 33 81 18 ------- Table 9 (continued) Tritium in Drinking Water April - June 2008 Location NY: New York City NY: Niagara Falls NY: Syracuse OH: Cincinnati OH: Columbus OH: E. Liverpool OH: Painesville OH: Toledo PA: Columbia PA: Harrisburg PA: Philadelphia/Baxter PA: Philadelphia/Belmont PA: Philadelphia/Queen PA: Pittsburgh RI: Providence SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SC: Jenkinsville SC: Seneca TN: Chattanooga TN: Knoxville TN:OakRidge/#360 TN:OakRidge/#371 TN:OakRidge/#4442 TN: Oak Ridge/#768 TN:OakRidge/#772 TX: Austin VA: Ashland VA: Lynchburg WA: Richland WA: Seattle Date Collected 04/30/08 05/14/08 04/17/08 05/13/08 05/21/08 04/23/08 04/30/08 04/03/08 04/16/08 04/16/08 04/28/08 04/28/08 04/28/08 04/22/08 04/03/08 04/01/08 04/28/08 04/04/08 04/02/08 04/01/08 04/17/08 04/01/08 04/01/08 04/01/08 04/01/08 04/01/08 04/02/08 04/10/08 04/03/08 04/11/08 04/09/08 3H pCi/L ±2« -62 85 -45 87 15 88 29 91 36 91 6 87 70 91 -30 77 0 90 15 88 57 91 19 88 -22 87 58 90 -50 77 24 83 35 89 78 86 51 84 24 86 11 88 0 84 -27 82 167 92 -23 80 -37 83 18 83 1370 130 8 80 98 80 10 76 19 ------- This page intentionally left blank 20 ------- 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 radio- nuclide 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 collec- tion, one-fourth of the samples are also analyzed for strontium-90 on a four year rotating schedule. 21 ------- Table 10 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk April - June 2008 Location AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix CA: San Francisco DE: Wilmington FL: Tampa IA: Des Moines KS: Wichita KY: Louisville MA: Boston MD: Baltimore MI: Detroit MO: Jefferson City NJ: Trenton NM: Albuquerque NY: Buffalo NY: Syracuse OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OR: Portland TN: Chattanooga TN: Knoxville TN: Memphis TX: Austin TX: Dallas VT: Montpelier WA: Spokane WA: Tacoma WV: Charleston Date Collected 06/23/08 06/10/08 04/02/08 06/18/08 04/07/08 04/16/08 04/07/08 04/07/08 06/02/08 04/04/08 05/20/08 04/17/08 04/04/08 04/21/08 04/04/08 04/04/08 04/22/08 05/12/08 04/07/08 05/14/08 04/23/08 04/07/08 04/07/08 04/28/08 06/26/08 04/01/08 06/30/08 04/04/08 K g/L ±2w 1.58 0.20 1.53 0.20 1.57 0.20 1.58 0.20 1.53 0.23 1.53 0.20 1.73 0.21 1.63 0.20 1.55 0.23 1.58 0.20 1.58 0.20 1.56 0.20 1.70 0.21 1.53 0.23 1.47 0.19 1.61 0.20 1.57 0.21 1.55 0.19 1.53 0.19 1.69 0.25 1.53 0.19 1.53 0.19 1.49 0.20 1.54 0.19 1.57 0.20 1.54 0.19 1.55 0.23 1.57 0.20 137Cs pCi/L ±2« 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 ±2« 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 mj pCi/L ±2« 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 22 ------- For More Information Environmental Radiation Data(EKD) is published quarterly by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Office of Radiation and Indoor Air. Requests for information concerning the operation of RadNet 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: Jonathan Edwards USEPA - ORIA Radiation Protection Division (MC6608J) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. Washington, DC 20460 e-mail: edwards.jonathan@epa.gov *** 23 ------- This page intentionally left blank 24 ------- |