402-R-11-005 ENVIRONMENTAL RADIATION DATA REPORT 145 January - March 2011 United States Environmental Protection Agency Office of Radiation and Indoor Air ------- This page intentionally left blank 11 ------- Contents Page «Table of contents will generate here» 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 Particulates: January 2011 2 3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: February 2011 5 4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: March 2011 9 5 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: January 2011 12 6 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: February 2011 13 7 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: March 2011 14 8 Tritium in Precipitation: January - March 2011 15 9 Tritium in Drinking Water: January - March 2011 18 10 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: January-March 2011 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 dual-phosphor scintillation counter 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 proportional 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. 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 tritium and gamma-emitting radionuclides. NAREL discontinued gross beta analysis of precipitation in January, 2010. 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 January 2011 Location AK: Anchorage AK: Fairbanks AK: Juneau AL: Birmingham AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix AZ: Phoenix/956 AZ: Tucson CA: Anaheim CA: Bakersfield CA: Eureka CA: Fresno CA: Los Angeles CA: Richmond CA: Riverside CA: Sacramento CA: San Bernardino Cty. CA: San Francisco CA: San Jose CO: Colorado Springs CO: Denver CO: Grand Junction DC: Washington DE: Dover FL: Jacksonville FL: Miami FL: Orlando FL: Tallahassee FL: Tampa GA: Atlanta GA: Augusta HI: Hilo HI: Honolulu IA: Des Moines IA: Mason City ID: Idaho Falls IL: Aurora Number of Samples 9 4 8 8 9 7 8 5 8 4 9 5 5 7 4 8 9 1 4 4 5 9 6 8 7 8 6 9 4 2 3 4 7 9 9 2 4 7 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 4.7 0.0 1.3 1.4 0.5 1.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.5 0.2 0.9 0.0 -0.0 -0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 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 0.0 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 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.3 -0.1 0.1 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.005 0.001 0.003 0.011 0.006 0.008 0.008 0.000 0.003 0.032 0.006 0.013 0.020 0.008 0.015 0.023 0.009 0.013 0.029 0.010 0.016 0.029 0.012 0.021 0.017 0.010 0.012 0.008 0.003 0.005 0.031 0.004 0.019 0.004 0.002 0.003 0.024 0.006 0.017 0.013 0.004 0.009 0.016 0.004 0.011 0.012 0.004 0.006 0.025 0.004 0.013 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.010 0.003 0.007 0.011 0.004 0.008 0.011 0.006 0.008 0.011 0.003 0.006 0.039 0.008 0.024 0.009 0.003 0.006 0.013 0.005 0.009 0.008 0.004 0.006 0.009 0.003 0.006 0.011 0.006 0.008 0.019 0.008 0.013 0.009 0.008 0.009 0.015 0.011 0.013 0.007 0.005 0.006 0.004 0.001 0.003 0.004 0.001 0.003 0.022 0.011 0.016 0.019 0.011 0.015 0.016 0.002 0.008 0.032 0.011 0.020 ------- Table 2 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates January 2011 Location IL: Chicago IN: Indianapolis KS: Kansas City KS: Topeka KY: Lexington KY: Louisville LA: Baton Rouge LA: Shreveport MA: Worcester MD: Baltimore ME: Orono ME: Portland MI: Bay City 48708 MI: Detroit MI: Grand Rapids MN: Duluth MN: Welch/510 MO: Jefferson City MO: Springfield MS: Jackson/Deq MT: Billings NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NJ: Edison NJ: Trenton NM: Albuquerque NM: Navajo Lake St Park NM: Santa Fe NV: Las Vegas/9 13 NV: Reno NY: Albany NY: Hauppauge NY: Lockport NY: New York City NY: Rochester NY: Yaphank Number of Samples 7 9 7 8 8 7 9 10 7 6 5 4 8 9 7 4 5 9 9 9 3 7 4 6 6 8 7 7 3 4 6 4 8 5 6 3 3 4 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 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 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.2 0.3 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 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.024 0.006 0.014 0.022 0.011 0.016 0.015 0.007 0.011 0.030 0.009 0.019 0.022 0.008 0.013 0.022 0.009 0.013 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.021 0.007 0.011 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.016 0.005 0.010 0.016 0.002 0.009 0.013 0.004 0.008 0.017 0.007 0.011 0.017 0.006 0.011 0.018 0.008 0.011 0.016 0.007 0.011 0.025 0.016 0.019 0.019 0.007 0.013 0.031 0.009 0.015 0.016 0.006 0.010 0.022 0.010 0.015 0.012 0.005 0.009 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.012 0.007 0.009 0.012 0.003 0.007 0.026 0.006 0.015 0.010 0.004 0.007 0.012 0.004 0.009 0.011 0.005 0.007 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.024 0.009 0.016 0.030 0.003 0.012 0.019 0.007 0.013 0.017 0.004 0.012 0.010 0.005 0.007 0.007 0.004 0.006 0.006 0.003 0.005 ------- Table 2 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates January 2011 Location OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OH: Columbus OH: Painesville OH: Toledo OK: Tulsa OR: Corvallis OR: Portland PA: Pittsburgh SC: Columbia SD: Pierre SD: Rapid City TN: Knoxville TN: Memphis TN: Nashville TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel TN: Oak Ridge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W TX: Amarillo TX: Austin TX: Dallas TX: El Paso TX: Ft. Worth TX: Houston TX: Laredo TX: Lubbock TX: SanAngelo TX: San Antonio VA: Lynchburg VA: Richmond VA: Virginia Beach WA: Olympia WA: Seattle WA: Spokane WI: Milwaukee WV: Charleston Number of Samples 8 9 2 7 9 6 4 7 4 2 9 7 7 6 1 7 8 7 7 7 6 4 6 6 6 8 8 1 6 9 9 6 3 9 6 8 5 3 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 -0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 1.5 0.4 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 1.4 0.1 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.5 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 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 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.022 0.009 0.015 0.017 0.006 0.010 0.015 0.013 0.014 0.018 0.007 0.012 0.021 0.009 0.016 0.037 0.010 0.017 0.010 0.001 0.006 0.036 0.003 0.012 0.013 0.007 0.010 0.017 0.009 0.013 0.018 0.006 0.011 0.033 0.004 0.012 0.019 0.009 0.013 0.023 0.010 0.017 0.008 0.008 0.008 0.023 0.010 0.015 0.020 0.010 0.014 0.022 0.010 0.013 0.022 0.010 0.013 0.020 0.009 0.013 0.011 0.004 0.008 0.014 0.013 0.014 0.014 0.008 0.010 0.027 0.014 0.020 0.025 0.008 0.015 0.010 0.005 0.008 0.063 0.007 0.016 0.018 0.018 0.018 0.016 0.004 0.010 0.012 0.006 0.009 0.017 0.010 0.014 0.015 0.003 0.008 0.011 0.008 0.010 0.011 0.001 0.004 0.006 0.001 0.003 0.020 0.001 0.008 0.023 0.005 0.012 0.014 0.012 0.013 ------- Table 3 Gross Beta in Airborne Participates February 2011 Location AK: Anchorage AK: Fairbanks AK: Juneau AL: Birmingham AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix AZ: Phoenix/956 AZ: Tucson CA: Anaheim CA: Bakersfield CA: Eureka CA: Fresno CA: Los Angeles CA: Richmond CA: Riverside CA: Sacramento CA: San Bernardino Cty. CA: San Francisco CA: San Jose CO: Colorado Springs CO: Denver CO: Grand Junction DC: Washington DE: Dover FL: Jacksonville FL: Miami FL: Orlando FL: Tallahassee FL: Tampa GA: Atlanta GA: Augusta HI: Hilo HI: Honolulu IA: Des Moines IA: Mason City ID: Idaho Falls IL: Aurora Number of Samples 7 4 7 8 7 6 6 1 8 1 7 4 5 4 4 7 8 2 4 4 4 6 4 8 6 1 5 6 3 6 4 4 8 8 8 2 7 3 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 3.9 0.4 1.5 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 1.7 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.5 0.5 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 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 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 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.005 0.002 0.003 0.017 0.006 0.010 0.008 0.001 0.004 0.014 0.009 0.010 0.015 0.010 0.012 0.013 0.007 0.010 0.032 0.008 0.016 0.015 0.015 0.015 0.012 0.006 0.009 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.026 0.003 0.010 0.004 0.001 0.002 0.017 0.003 0.009 0.012 0.004 0.007 0.013 0.003 0.008 0.008 0.002 0.005 0.012 0.002 0.006 0.008 0.007 0.007 0.006 0.001 0.004 0.012 0.002 0.007 0.010 0.007 0.008 0.010 0.003 0.007 0.011 0.007 0.009 0.005 0.003 0.004 0.007 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.006 0.004 0.004 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.013 0.008 0.010 0.011 0.007 0.009 0.015 0.009 0.011 0.007 0.002 0.005 0.004 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.001 0.002 0.016 0.009 0.012 0.015 0.009 0.012 0.024 0.004 0.011 0.016 0.010 0.012 ------- Table 3 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates February 2011 Location IL: Chicago IN: Indianapolis KS: Kansas City KS: Topeka KS: Wichita KY: Lexington KY: Louisville LA: Baton Rouge LA: Shreveport MA: Worcester MD: Baltimore ME: Orono MI: Bay City 48708 MI: Detroit MI: Grand Rapids MN: Duluth MN: Welch/510 MO: Jefferson City MO: Springfield MS: Jackson/Deq MT: Billings NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NH: Concord NJ: Edison NJ: Trenton NM: Albuquerque NM: Navajo Lake St Park NM: Santa Fe NV: Las Vegas/9 13 NY: Albany NY: Hauppauge NY: Lockport NY: New York City NY: Rochester NY: Yaphank Number of Samples 1 8 5 8 2 7 6 7 8 6 6 3 8 6 7 4 8 8 8 7 1 8 4 6 6 1 7 5 4 4 3 9 7 1 5 4 7 4 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.2 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 0.0 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 0.1 0.0 0.0 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 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 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 0.4 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.1 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 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.013 0.007 0.010 0.022 0.005 0.011 0.013 0.007 0.010 0.019 0.010 0.014 0.010 0.005 0.007 0.009 0.005 0.007 0.008 0.004 0.006 0.010 0.005 0.008 0.009 0.007 0.008 0.009 0.006 0.007 0.010 0.007 0.009 0.014 0.008 0.010 0.011 0.006 0.008 0.012 0.004 0.008 0.008 0.007 0.008 0.021 0.012 0.016 0.013 0.006 0.008 0.016 0.007 0.010 0.011 0.007 0.009 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.009 0.004 0.006 0.008 0.005 0.006 0.009 0.004 0.007 0.012 0.006 0.008 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.001 0.005 0.012 0.009 0.011 0.014 0.006 0.009 0.008 0.005 0.007 0.015 0.009 0.011 0.186 0.002 0.026 0.011 0.009 0.009 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.014 0.008 0.009 0.007 0.005 0.006 0.007 0.004 0.005 0.006 0.003 0.004 ------- Table 3 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates February 2011 Location OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OH: Columbus OH: Painesville OH: Toledo OR: Corvallis OR: Portland PA: Pittsburgh SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SD: Pierre SD: Rapid City 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: Amarillo TX: Austin TX: Dallas TX: Ft. Worth TX: Houston TX: Laredo TX: San Angelo TX: San Antonio UT: Salt Lake City VA: Harrisonburg VA: Lynchburg VA: Richmond VA: Virginia Beach WA: Olympia WA: Richland WA: Seattle WA: Spokane Number of Samples 8 8 2 7 8 3 7 5 4 4 8 7 5 5 7 7 7 7 7 2 4 6 2 7 7 8 8 6 8 8 8 9 6 1 2 9 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 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 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.1 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.6 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.7 0.2 0.4 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 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.010 0.007 0.009 0.013 0.007 0.008 0.008 0.007 0.008 0.012 0.007 0.009 0.016 0.008 0.012 0.004 0.001 0.003 0.023 0.001 0.008 0.012 0.006 0.008 0.009 0.008 0.008 0.015 0.009 0.011 0.014 0.005 0.009 0.016 0.003 0.010 0.013 0.008 0.009 0.012 0.009 0.010 0.012 0.009 0.010 0.010 0.008 0.009 0.012 0.007 0.009 0.013 0.008 0.010 0.014 0.008 0.009 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.014 0.008 0.011 0.028 0.006 0.010 0.018 0.010 0.014 0.009 0.006 0.007 0.010 0.005 0.007 0.014 0.007 0.010 0.011 0.003 0.007 0.023 0.015 0.017 0.011 0.006 0.008 0.014 0.007 0.009 0.008 0.003 0.005 0.009 0.006 0.007 0.007 0.001 0.004 0.003 0.003 0.003 0.006 0.005 0.005 0.015 0.003 0.007 ------- Table 3 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates February 2011 Location WI: Madison WI: Milwaukee WV: Charleston Number of Samples 3 1 6 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.014 0.007 0.010 0.009 0.009 0.009 0.017 0.003 0.010 ------- Table 4 Gross Beta in Airborne Participates March 2011 Location AK: Anchorage AK: Fairbanks AK: Juneau AL: Birmingham AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix AZ: Tucson CA: Anaheim CA: Bakersfield CA: Eureka CA: Fresno CA: Los Angeles CA: Richmond CA: Riverside CA: Sacramento CA: San Francisco CA: San Jose CO: Colorado Springs CO: Denver CO: Grand Junction CT: Hartford DC: Washington DE: Dover FL: Jacksonville FL: Miami FL: Orlando FL: Tallahassee FL: Tampa GA: Atlanta GA: Augusta HI: Hilo HI: Honolulu IA: Des Moines IA: Mason City ID: Idaho Falls IL: Aurora IN: Indianapolis Number of Samples 4 2 2 5 5 5 5 4 4 5 2 3 1 3 6 4 5 1 2 5 3 2 5 3 5 1 5 2 5 2 3 4 4 5 2 4 5 5 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 3.0 0.4 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 2.5 0.1 0.9 0.0 0.0 0.0 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 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.8 0.2 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.1 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 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.011 0.004 0.007 0.013 0.009 0.011 0.019 0.006 0.012 0.012 0.006 0.009 0.012 0.007 0.009 0.017 0.005 0.010 0.016 0.011 0.013 0.011 0.008 0.009 0.054 0.003 0.017 0.013 0.004 0.008 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.003 0.004 0.022 0.003 0.008 0.006 0.003 0.004 0.048 0.002 0.021 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.013 0.011 0.012 0.015 0.008 0.012 0.025 0.009 0.015 0.009 0.004 0.006 0.005 0.002 0.003 0.007 0.005 0.006 0.006 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.010 0.005 0.007 0.010 0.008 0.009 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.006 0.005 0.005 0.004 0.003 0.004 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.016 0.012 0.014 0.014 0.009 0.011 0.008 0.006 0.007 0.018 0.011 0.014 0.011 0.006 0.008 ------- Table 4 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates March 2011 Location KS: Kansas City KS: Topeka KS: Wichita KY: Lexington KY: Louisville LA: Baton Rouge LA: Shreveport MA: Boston MA: Worcester MD: Baltimore ME: Orono MI: Bay City 48708 MI: Detroit MI: Grand Rapids MN: Duluth MN: Welch/510 MO: Jefferson City MO: Springfield MS: Jackson/Deq NC: Charlotte NC: Raleigh NC: Wilmington ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NH: Concord NJ: Edison NJ: Trenton NM: Albuquerque NM: Navajo Lake St Park NM: Santa Fe NV: Las Vegas/9 13 NY: Albany NY: Rochester OH: Cincinnati OH: Cleveland OH: Columbus OH: Painesville OH: Toledo Number of Samples 5 5 4 5 4 3 4 1 4 6 2 4 5 5 4 3 5 4 4 5 1 3 4 4 1 4 2 3 3 1 2 4 4 3 5 2 5 3 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.2 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 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 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 -0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.6 0.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.012 0.007 0.010 0.020 0.012 0.015 0.018 0.012 0.015 0.010 0.005 0.007 0.008 0.004 0.006 0.007 0.006 0.006 0.012 0.006 0.009 0.007 0.007 0.007 0.010 0.008 0.009 0.009 0.004 0.007 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.013 0.008 0.010 0.011 0.005 0.008 0.013 0.004 0.009 0.015 0.005 0.009 0.015 0.014 0.015 0.012 0.007 0.009 0.014 0.006 0.011 0.012 0.007 0.009 0.008 0.003 0.005 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.008 0.005 0.006 0.013 0.003 0.008 0.011 0.008 0.009 0.005 0.005 0.005 0.007 0.003 0.005 0.010 0.007 0.008 0.008 0.007 0.008 0.004 0.003 0.003 0.002 0.002 0.002 0.009 0.008 0.008 0.011 0.007 0.010 0.007 0.003 0.005 0.011 0.007 0.009 0.010 0.005 0.007 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.011 0.008 0.010 0.013 0.010 0.012 10 ------- Table 4 (continued) Gross Beta in Airborne Participates March 2011 Location OR: Corvallis OR: Portland PA: Philadelphia PA: Pittsburgh SC: Barnwell SC: Columbia SD: Pierre SD: Rapid City TN: Knoxville TN: Nashville TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel TN: Oak Ridge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W TX: Amarillo TX: Austin TX: Dallas TX: Ft. Worth TX: Houston TX: Laredo TX: San Angelo TX: San Antonio UT: Salt Lake City VA: Harrisonburg VA: Lynchburg VA: Richmond VA: Virginia Beach WA: Olympia WA: Richland WA: Seattle WA: Spokane WI: Madison WV: Charleston Number of Samples 6 5 1 3 1 3 3 4 2 1 5 5 5 4 5 1 2 6 2 6 1 1 3 1 5 5 4 5 5 5 1 5 5 4 5-hour Field Estimate Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.5 0.0 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 -0.0 -0.0 -0.0 0.4 0. 0.2 0.5 0. 0.2 0.4 0. 0.2 0.2 0. 0.1 0.1 0. 0.1 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.1 0.2 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.4 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.4 0.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.2 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 NAREL Lab Measurement Max Min Avg (pCi/m3) 0.047 0.002 0.010 0.005 0.002 0.003 0.004 0.004 0.004 0.008 0.005 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.010 0.007 0.008 0.017 0.010 0.013 0.025 0.012 0.016 0.012 0.004 0.008 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.014 0.005 0.009 0.013 0.006 0.008 0.013 0.005 0.008 0.013 0.006 0.008 0.013 0.005 0.008 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.015 0.013 0.014 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.015 0.012 0.014 0.010 0.007 0.009 0.008 0.008 0.008 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.010 0.008 0.009 0.012 0.012 0.012 0.008 0.004 0.006 0.010 0.006 0.008 0.006 0.004 0.004 0.008 0.005 0.006 0.067 0.001 0.015 0.006 0.002 0.004 0.013 0.013 0.013 0.005 0.002 0.004 0.011 0.006 0.009 0.022 0.004 0.012 11 ------- Table 5 Specific Gamma in Precipitation January 2011 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AZ: Phoenix CA: Richmond CO: Denver CT: Hartford FL: Jacksonville GA: Atlanta ID: Idaho Falls MN: St. Paul NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington NY: Albany NY: Yaphank 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 Nuclide Pb212 T1208 Pb212 Pb212 K40 Pb212 K40 T1208 K40 Pb212 Bi212 K40 T1208 K40 T1208 Pb212 pCi/L± 2.5 1.7 ND 2.6 2.8 ND 11 ND 2.9 16 2.4 ND ND ND 13 2.1 14.9 6 ND ND 1.1 7 ND 1.2 1.8 ND ND 2u 3.2 1.6 3.0 2.9 13 2.9 34 3.5 12 2.8 9.3 27 1.3 10 1.4 1.3 12 ------- Table 6 Specific Gamma in Precipitation February 2011 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix CA: Richmond CO: Denver CT: Hartford GA: Atlanta ID: Idaho Falls KS: Kansas City MN: St. Paul NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington NY: Albany NY: Yaphank OR: Portland PA: Harrisburg TN: Knoxville TN: Nashville TN:OakRidge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN:OakRidge/Y12E UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg WA: Olympia Nuclide K40 Pb212 Bi212 Pb212 K40 K40 Pb212 K40 Pb212 Pb212 pCi/L± ND 10 2.1 ND ND ND 24 1.2 8 ND 11 ND ND ND ND ND 2.6 ND ND ND ND 18 1.8 4.0 ND ND 2u 13 1.1 10 6.5 17 12 2.8 17 2.5 3.0 13 ------- Table 7 Specific Gamma in Precipitation March 2011 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock CA: Richmond CT: Hartford FL: Jacksonville GA: Atlanta ID: Idaho Falls KS: Kansas City MN: St. Paul NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington NY: Albany OH: Painesville TN: Knoxville TN: Nashville TN: Oak Ridge/K25 TN: Oak Ridge/Melton TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E UT: Salt Lake City VA: Lynchburg WA: Olympia Nuclide pCi/L ± Pb212 2.7 ND Pb212 2.2 ND ND Pb212 1.3 ND ND ND ND ND ND ND ND Pb212 1.5 ND ND ND ND ND K40 9 2u 2.8 1.9 1.2 1.9 12 14 ------- Table 8 Tritium in Precipitation January - March 2011 Location AL: Montgomery/408 AR: Little Rock AZ: Phoenix CA: Richmond CO: Denver CT: Hartford FL: Jacksonville GA: Atlanta ID: Idaho Falls KS: Kansas City MN: St. Paul NC: Charlotte NC: Wilmington 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 January 2011 pCi/L ±2« 6 91 NS 10 91 8 92 -29 90 -48 89 -29 90 -10 91 -38 90 NS 65 89 12 92 21 93 -8 91 -40 90 NS 67 89 -75 88 -37 89 NS 58 94 390 110 -27 91 -23 91 17 92 11 78 -17 91 February 2011 pCi/L ±2u 75 91 140 94 -21 84 -15 85 60 90 136 92 NS 62 90 -17 85 84 92 127 93 55 90 92 90 121 91 67 88 NS -27 84 101 91 34 90 55 90 76 90 320 100 153 95 NS 2 86 225 98 -54 82 March 2011 pCi/L ±2w 0 84 55 85 NS -21 81 NS 91 87 119 88 -15 82 52 85 82 86 19 83 12 84 46 85 55 85 NS 42 85 NS NS 17 84 2 83 29 84 135 90 4 83 NS 2 83 31 84 10 88 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. 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, 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 on annual composites; (d) iodine-131 on one quarterly sample per year for each station; and (e) 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 on annual composites; and (f) strontium-90 on one-fourth of the annual composites on a four year rotating schedule. 17 ------- Table 9 Tritium in Drinking Water January - March 2011 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: Tampa GA: Baxley GA: Savannah IA: Cedar Rapids ID: Boise ID: Idaho Falls IL: W. Chicago MD: Baltimore MD: Conowingo MI: Grand Rapids MN: St. Paul MN: Welch MO: Jefferson City MS: Jackson MS: Port Gibson MT: Helena ND: Bismarck NE: Lincoln NJ: Trenton NJ: Waretown NV: Las Vegas NY: Albany NY: New York City NY: Niagara Falls NY: Syracuse OH: Cincinnati OH: E. Liverpool OH: Painesville OH: Toledo Date Collected 03/08/11 01/13/11 02/17/11 01/06/11 01/05/11 02/25/11 02/08/11 02/23/11 02/10/11 02/01/11 02/02/11 01/28/11 02/01/11 03/09/11 02/24/11 02/11/11 03/10/11 02/07/11 02/01/11 02/14/11 03/11/11 02/08/11 02/08/11 02/03/11 02/02/11 02/02/11 02/14/11 02/18/11 02/03/11 01/24/11 01/24/11 02/10/11 02/07/11 02/23/11 02/01/11 02/03/11 01/28/11 02/02/11 02/22/11 01/31/11 3H pCi/L ±2« -24 88 -19 80 25 84 125 87 101 86 25 83 2 88 -15 82 68 86 -92 77 4 89 -85 76 4 84 -13 85 35 84 -35 87 10 88 -38 87 -70 78 31 84 90 92 -15 87 -46 87 0 83 2 83 4 83 86 91 54 85 -6 82 39 82 -47 77 40 85 43 90 54 85 58 86 56 85 -16 79 -38 86 110 88 44 90 18 ------- Table 9 (continued) Tritium in Drinking Water January - March 2011 Location OK: Oklahoma City 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: Knoxville TN: Oak Ridge/#360 TN:OakRidge/#371 TN: Oak Ridge/#4442 TN:OakRidge/#768 TN: Oak Ridge/#772 TX: Austin VA: Ashland WA: Richland WI: Madison Date Collected 02/17/11 02/16/11 02/16/11 02/14/11 02/14/11 02/14/11 02/02/11 02/02/11 01/31/11 01/28/11 01/27/11 01/17/11 02/07/11 01/25/11 01/25/11 01/25/11 01/25/11 01/25/11 02/02/11 01/31/11 02/24/11 03/07/11 3H pCi/L ±2« -10 82 480 110 -35 81 21 84 50 84 21 83 -19 88 -69 85 -2 89 23 80 -16 80 -81 76 -98 84 -38 76 -12 80 33 81 -57 75 -50 78 79 87 1570 150 23 84 -23 81 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 January - March 2011 Location AR: Fort Smith CA: Los Angeles CA: San Francisco CT: Hartford DE: Wilmington FL: Plant City HI: Hilo KS: Wichita KY: Louisville MD: Baltimore MO: Jefferson City NJ: Trenton NY: Buffalo NY: Syracuse OR: Portland PA: Pittsburgh TN: Chattanooga TN: Knoxville TN: Memphis TX: San Antonio WV: Charleston Date Collected 03/07/11 02/28/11 01/20/11 03/07/11 01/31/11 01/12/11 01/24/11 01/19/11 01/19/11 01/24/11 01/26/11 01/13/11 02/22/11 01/19/11 01/31/11 01/03/11 03/03/11 02/22/11 01/24/11 01/24/11 01/24/11 K g/L ±2w 1.50 0.19 1.62 0.20 1.80 0.23 1.55 0.20 1.57 0.19 1.61 0.20 1.56 0.20 1.55 0.20 1.68 0.21 1.68 0.20 1.57 0.19 1.57 0.20 1.51 0.19 1.53 0.20 1.61 0.20 1.62 0.20 1.55 0.19 1.58 0.19 1.55 0.20 1.43 0.18 1.57 0.20 137Cs pCi/L ±2« ND ND ND ND ND 2.6 1.6 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 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 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, the data that are generated or 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 ------- |