Environmental
Radiation
Data
REPORT 149
J anuary-March 2012
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Office of Radiation and Indoor Air
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11
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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 17
2. Water Program 19
3. Milk Program 23
Pasteurized Milk 23
in
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iv
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List of Tables
Table Page
1 Reporting Units and Minimum Detectable Concentrations xiii
2 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: January 2012 2
3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: February 2012 6
4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: March 2012 10
5 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: January 2012 14
6 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: February 2012 15
7 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: March 2012 16
8 Tritium in Drinking Water: January-March 2012 20
9 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: January-March 2012 24
v
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vi
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Preface
Environmental Radiation Data (ERD) contains data from the RadNet monitoring system
(formerly ERAMS), which is operated by the Office of Radiation and Indoor Air's National
Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) in Montgomery, Alabama. ERD is
published in both hard-copy and electronic formats. Electronic reports are available online at
http://www.epa.gov/narel. RadNet data are also available online in a searchable database at:
http://www.epa.gov/enviro/facts/radnet
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 RadNet samples may include gross alpha and gross
beta analysis, gamma analyses, and radionuclide-specific analyses for isotopes of uranium,
plutonium, strontium, iodine, radium, and tritium. This monitoring effort also provides informa-
tion on natural background levels and possible accidental releases into the environment.
vii
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viii
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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 Analytical 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
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x
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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 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 are
not detected.
Measurement Uncertainty
Each measured value y is reported with an expanded uncertainty U=k uc(y), which is determined
from the combined standard uncertainty uc(y) and the coverage factor k = 2. The interval from
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
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Xll
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Table 1
Reporting Units and Minimum Detectable Concentrations
for Radionuclide Analyses
Radionuclide
Media
Reporting Unit
IMinimum
Detectable
Concentration
Gross Alpha
Water
pCi/L
2
Gross Beta
Air
pCi/m3
0.0015
Water
pCi/L
2
Precipitation
pCi/L
2
Tritium
Water
pCi/L
150
* Plutonium-23 8,23 9/240
Air
aCi/m3
0.75
Water
pCi/L
0.1
f Uranium-234,235,238
Air
aCi/m3
0.75
Water
pCi/L
0.1
Radium-226
Water
pCi/L
0.02
Strontium-90
Milk
pCi/L
2
Water
pCi/L
1
t Iodine-131
Milk (gamma)
pCi/L
4
Water (gamma)
pCi/L
4
Water
pCi/L
0.3
Cesium-137
Milk
pCi/L
5
Water
pCi/L
5
{ Barium-140
Milk
pCi/L
15
Water
pCi/L
15
Potassium
Milk
g/L
0.06
Water
g/L
0.06
Potassium-40
Water
pCi/L
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.
} Activity as of the day of counting.
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xiv
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1. Air Program
Airborne Particulates and Precipitation
Gross beta radioactivity measurements and certain specific analyses are performed on air partic-
ulates and precipitation samples as indicator measurements in assessing the general (national)
impact of all contributing sources on environmental levels of radiation. Continuous air samplers
collect airborne particulates at field stations representing wide geographic coverage throughout
the United States.
Filters (10 cm diameter synthetic fiber) from air samplers are changed routinely, and generally
field measurements are made with a dual-phosphor scintillation counter at least 5 hours after
222
collection to allow Rn progeny to decay. Field estimates are reported to appropriate EPA
officials by telephone or mail depending on the activity levels found; however, as of the first
quarter of 2012, NAREL no longer reports field estimates in Environmental Radiation Data.
The filters are sent to NAREL for more sensitive analysis in a gas proportional counter. Gamma
scans are performed on all filters showing gross beta activity greater than 1 pCi/m3.
All stations routinely submit precipitation samples as rainfall, snow, or sleet occurs. The precip-
itation 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 gamma-
emitting radionuclides. NAREL discontinued gross beta analysis of precipitation in January 2010
and discontinued tritium analysis of precipitation in January 2012.
1
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Table 2
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
5
0.007
0.002
0.004
AK: Fairbanks
6
0.021
0.011
0.017
AK: Juneau
7
0.007
0.001
0.003
AL: Birmingham
9
0.013
0.006
0.010
AL: Montgomery/408
9
0.018
0.009
0.012
AR: Fort Smith
4
0.029
0.011
0.016
AR: Little Rock
6
0.019
0.005
0.009
AZ: Phoenix
8
0.025
0.007
0.016
AZ: Phoenix/956
8
0.021
0.009
0.014
AZ: Tucson
7
0.015
0.006
0.009
AZ: Yuma
3
0.017
0.006
0.012
CA: Anaheim
7
0.016
0.005
0.011
CA: Bakersfield
6
0.093
0.009
0.037
CA: Eureka
2
0.004
0.002
0.003
CA: Fresno
2
0.012
0.012
0.012
CA: Los Angeles
3
0.010
0.007
0.009
CA: Richmond
5
0.021
0.003
0.012
CA: Riverside
8
0.013
0.004
0.009
CA: Sacramento
9
0.021
0.004
0.011
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
7
0.014
0.004
0.010
CA: San Diego
4
0.010
0.004
0.007
CA: San Francisco
9
0.014
0.001
0.006
CA: San Jose
7
0.021
0.002
0.008
CO: Denver
8
0.012
0.005
0.009
CO: Grand Junction
6
0.021
0.009
0.016
CT: Hartford
9
0.010
0.004
0.008
DC: Washington
9
0.020
0.005
0.009
DE: Dover
6
0.015
0.005
0.007
FL: Jacksonville
9
0.009
0.004
0.006
FL: Miami
3
0.005
0.004
0.005
FL: Orlando
9
0.010
0.004
0.007
FL: Tallahassee
3
0.011
0.008
0.009
FL: Tampa
6
0.009
0.005
0.007
GA: Atlanta
2
0.008
0.007
0.008
GA: Augusta
6
0.005
0.004
0.004
HI: Hilo
9
0.004
0.002
0.003
HI: Honolulu
9
0.003
0.002
0.002
IA: Des Moines
6
0.024
0.005
0.013
2
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
IA: Mason City
6
0.018
0.006
0.012
ID: Idaho Falls
7
0.015
0.004
0.009
IL: Aurora
9
0.031
0.006
0.014
IL: Chicago
9
0.030
0.006
0.011
IN: Fort Wayne
1
0.011
0.011
0.011
IN: Indianapolis
8
0.025
0.007
0.012
KS: Kansas City
9
0.017
0.005
0.009
KS: Topeka
8
0.028
0.005
0.011
KS: Wichita
7
0.022
0.005
0.010
KY: Lexington
6
0.021
0.010
0.014
KY: Louisville
8
0.023
0.005
0.009
LA: Baton Rouge
9
0.008
0.003
0.005
LA: Shreveport
7
0.010
0.004
0.007
MA: Boston
9
0.006
0.003
0.005
MA: Worcester
7
0.014
0.006
0.009
MD: Baltimore
9
0.024
0.004
0.010
ME: Orono
3
0.010
0.007
0.009
ME: Portland
3
0.006
0.004
0.006
MI: Detroit
8
0.016
0.006
0.009
MI: Grand Rapids
6
0.017
0.007
0.012
MI: Lansing
9
0.041
0.016
0.027
MN: Duluth
4
0.018
0.006
0.009
MN: St. Paul
5
0.012
0.006
0.009
MO: Jefferson City
8
0.019
0.003
0.008
MO: Springfield
7
0.019
0.005
0.011
MO: St. Louis
2
0.013
0.011
0.012
MS: Jackson/Deq
9
0.013
0.004
0.008
MT: Billings
2
0.008
0.005
0.007
NC: Charlotte
8
0.009
0.006
0.007
NC: Raleigh
5
0.009
0.003
0.006
NC: Wilmington
4
0.007
0.005
0.006
ND: Bismarck
8
0.020
0.003
0.009
NE: Kearney
7
0.019
0.003
0.008
NE: Lincoln
7
0.022
0.004
0.012
NE: Omaha
3
0.012
0.007
0.009
NH: Concord
4
0.007
0.006
0.006
NJ: Edison
4
0.005
0.004
0.005
NJ: Trenton
9
0.018
0.007
0.010
3
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Albuquerque
4
0.013
0.005
0.009
NM: Carlsbad
6
0.014
0.008
0.010
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
5
0.020
0.009
0.013
NV: Las Vegas/913
3
0.012
0.006
0.010
NV: Reno
7
0.024
0.003
0.011
NY: Albany
9
0.015
0.005
0.010
NY: Lockport
9
0.013
0.005
0.007
NY: New York City
4
0.010
0.007
0.008
NY: Rochester
3
0.005
0.003
0.004
NY: Syracuse
1
0.007
0.007
0.007
NY: Yaphank
7
0.006
0.004
0.005
OH: Cincinnati
9
0.022
0.004
0.010
OH: Cleveland
8
0.021
0.004
0.009
OH: Painesville
7
0.013
0.006
0.009
OH: Toledo
8
0.025
0.009
0.013
OK: Oklahoma City
9
0.016
0.004
0.008
OK: Tulsa
8
0.020
0.004
0.009
OR: Corvallis
7
0.004
0.001
0.003
OR: Portland
9
0.004
0.001
0.002
PA: Harrisburg
7
0.009
0.004
0.006
PA: Philadelphia
4
0.011
0.005
0.007
PA: Pittsburgh
6
0.014
0.006
0.009
PR: San Juan
9
0.003
0.001
0.002
RI: Providence
4
0.008
0.003
0.005
SC: Barnwell
1
0.009
0.009
0.009
SC: Columbia
3
0.013
0.011
0.012
SD: Pierre
9
0.020
0.003
0.009
SD: Rapid City
7
0.016
0.004
0.008
TN: Knoxville
7
0.012
0.005
0.007
TN: Memphis
4
0.021
0.007
0.011
TN: Nashville
4
0.009
0.007
0.008
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
7
0.018
0.007
0.011
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
7
0.018
0.008
0.012
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
7
0.021
0.009
0.014
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
7
0.019
0.008
0.012
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W
7
0.019
0.008
0.012
TX: Austin
3
0.011
0.009
0.010
TX: Dallas
8
0.014
0.005
0.009
4
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: El Paso
7
0.022
0.009
0.015
TX: Ft. Worth
4
0.010
0.008
0.009
TX: Harlingen
7
0.010
0.006
0.008
TX: Houston
9
0.012
0.004
0.006
TX: Laredo
3
0.022
0.007
0.013
TX: Lubbock
5
0.009
0.001
0.006
TX: San Angelo
6
0.015
0.006
0.008
TX: San Antonio
9
0.017
0.005
0.010
UT: Salt Lake City
8
0.022
0.004
0.011
VA: Harrisonburg
8
0.011
0.006
0.008
VA: Lynchburg
9
0.010
0.007
0.008
VA: Richmond
3
0.015
0.006
0.010
VA: Virginia Beach
8
0.007
0.003
0.005
VT: Burlington
9
0.009
0.005
0.008
WA: Olympia
5
0.004
0.002
0.003
WA: Richland
7
0.010
0.003
0.006
WA: Seattle
4
0.003
0.001
0.002
WA: Spokane
7
0.009
0.003
0.006
WI: Madison
9
0.027
0.006
0.012
WI: Milwaukee
7
0.020
0.005
0.010
WV: Charleston
6
0.027
0.007
0.013
5
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Table 3
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
6
0.008
0.001
0.003
AK: Fairbanks
6
0.009
0.002
0.005
AK: Juneau
7
0.004
0.001
0.002
AL: Birmingham
8
0.012
0.006
0.010
AL: Montgomery/408
8
0.018
0.008
0.012
AR: Fort Smith
4
0.015
0.009
0.012
AR: Little Rock
7
0.011
0.004
0.008
AZ: Phoenix
7
0.022
0.006
0.016
AZ: Phoenix/956
8
0.017
0.005
0.012
AZ: Tucson
8
0.013
0.005
0.010
AZ: Yuma
1
0.004
0.004
0.004
CA: Bakersfield
7
0.033
0.004
0.015
CA: Fresno
5
0.017
0.004
0.010
CA: Los Angeles
4
0.018
0.007
0.013
CA: Richmond
4
0.010
0.003
0.006
CA: Riverside
7
0.012
0.004
0.009
CA: Sacramento
8
0.015
0.002
0.006
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
9
0.016
0.004
0.010
CA: San Diego
9
0.018
0.003
0.009
CA: San Francisco
8
0.010
0.002
0.004
CA: San Jose
8
0.022
0.002
0.007
CO: Denver
8
0.028
0.004
0.016
CO: Grand Junction
5
0.018
0.005
0.012
CT: Hartford
7
0.010
0.005
0.007
DC: Washington
8
0.013
0.008
0.009
DE: Dover
7
0.009
0.006
0.007
FL: Jacksonville
8
0.009
0.004
0.007
FL: Miami
2
0.004
0.003
0.004
FL: Orlando
8
0.009
0.006
0.007
FL: Tallahassee
4
0.012
0.006
0.009
FL: Tampa
7
0.008
0.004
0.007
GA: Atlanta
2
0.007
0.006
0.006
GA: Augusta
6
0.011
0.005
0.008
HI: Hilo
8
0.004
0.002
0.003
HI: Honolulu
8
0.003
0.002
0.002
IA: Des Moines
7
0.014
0.006
0.010
IA: Mason City
7
0.012
0.007
0.010
ID: Idaho Falls
8
0.022
0.003
0.010
6
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Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
IL: Aurora
8
0.015
0.009
0.012
IL: Chicago
8
0.012
0.007
0.010
IN: Indianapolis
8
0.012
0.008
0.010
KS: Kansas City
7
0.018
0.002
0.008
KS: Topeka
8
0.019
0.006
0.011
KS: Wichita
7
0.019
0.004
0.011
KY: Lexington
8
0.017
0.011
0.014
KY: Louisville
7
0.010
0.005
0.007
LA: Baton Rouge
8
0.007
0.003
0.005
LA: Shreveport
8
0.011
0.003
0.006
MA: Boston
8
0.008
0.005
0.006
MA: Worcester
7
0.014
0.009
0.010
MD: Baltimore
1
0.010
0.010
0.010
ME: Orono
4
0.010
0.008
0.009
ME: Portland
7
0.015
0.005
0.008
MI: Bay City 48708
4
0.011
0.008
0.009
MI: Detroit
8
0.011
0.007
0.009
MI: Grand Rapids
7
0.013
0.007
0.010
MI: Lansing
8
0.037
0.020
0.027
MN: Duluth
4
0.012
0.007
0.009
MN: St. Paul
4
0.012
0.007
0.010
MO: Jefferson City
8
0.013
0.003
0.007
MO: Springfield
6
0.019
0.005
0.010
MO: St. Louis
5
0.011
0.007
0.008
MS: Jackson/Deq
8
0.013
0.005
0.009
MT: Billings
3
0.020
0.006
0.013
NC: Charlotte
8
0.010
0.006
0.008
NC: Raleigh
4
0.008
0.005
0.007
NC: Wilmington
5
0.008
0.006
0.006
ND: Bismarck
5
0.014
0.009
0.011
NE: Kearney
8
0.012
0.003
0.008
NE: Lincoln
8
0.015
0.004
0.009
NE: Omaha
2
0.008
0.007
0.007
NH: Concord
7
0.010
0.006
0.008
NJ: Edison
7
0.008
0.004
0.006
NJ: Trenton
6
0.012
0.010
0.011
NM: Albuquerque
4
0.012
0.007
0.010
NM: Carlsbad
4
0.022
0.009
0.013
7
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Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
4
0.019
0.006
0.013
NV: Las Vegas/913
8
0.020
0.004
0.011
NV: Reno
8
0.024
0.005
0.011
NY: Albany
7
0.014
0.010
0.011
NY: Lockport
6
0.009
0.006
0.008
NY: New York City
5
0.009
0.007
0.008
NY: Yaphank
8
0.008
0.004
0.005
OH: Cincinnati
7
0.014
0.006
0.009
OH: Cleveland
8
0.011
0.006
0.008
OH: Painesville
8
0.013
0.008
0.011
OH: Toledo
7
0.015
0.010
0.012
OK: Oklahoma City
8
0.016
0.004
0.009
OK: Tulsa
7
0.025
0.005
0.011
OR: Corvallis
8
0.011
0.001
0.004
OR: Portland
8
0.009
0.001
0.004
PA: Philadelphia
4
0.008
0.006
0.006
PA: Pittsburgh
5
0.011
0.009
0.010
PR: San Juan
7
0.003
0.002
0.002
RI: Providence
4
0.009
0.006
0.007
SC: Barnwell
2
0.010
0.008
0.009
SC: Columbia
3
0.011
0.005
0.009
SD: Pierre
8
0.012
0.003
0.008
SD: Rapid City
6
0.016
0.006
0.011
TN: Knoxville
5
0.008
0.007
0.008
TN: Memphis
4
0.014
0.007
0.010
TN: Nashville
7
0.012
0.007
0.008
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
7
0.013
0.008
0.011
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
7
0.014
0.008
0.011
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
7
0.015
0.007
0.011
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
7
0.016
0.009
0.012
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W
7
0.015
0.007
0.012
TX: Austin
3
0.011
0.008
0.010
TX: Dallas
7
0.015
0.003
0.010
TX: El Paso
2
0.025
0.015
0.020
TX: Ft. Worth
5
0.018
0.007
0.011
TX: Harlingen
7
0.012
0.005
0.009
TX: Houston
5
0.008
0.004
0.006
TX: Laredo
7
0.013
0.005
0.009
8
-------
Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Lubbock
3
0.023
0.003
0.014
TX: San Angelo
8
0.012
0.003
0.008
TX: San Antonio
8
0.011
0.005
0.009
UT: Salt Lake City
8
0.034
0.005
0.015
VA: Harrisonburg
8
0.011
0.007
0.009
VA: Lynchburg
8
0.012
0.008
0.010
VA: Richmond
8
0.009
0.006
0.008
VA: Virginia Beach
7
0.008
0.005
0.006
VT: Burlington
8
0.009
0.006
0.008
WA: Olympia
7
0.008
0.001
0.003
WA: Richland
8
0.032
0.002
0.009
WA: Seattle
4
0.005
0.001
0.002
WA: Spokane
8
0.012
0.002
0.006
WI: Madison
8
0.014
0.007
0.012
WI: Milwaukee
7
0.011
0.006
0.009
WV: Charleston
6
0.012
0.007
0.009
9
-------
Table 4
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
8
0.010
0.003
0.006
AK: Fairbanks
4
0.011
0.007
0.010
AK: Juneau
7
0.004
0.001
0.002
AL: Birmingham
8
0.011
0.005
0.008
AL: Montgomery/408
9
0.013
0.006
0.009
AR: Fort Smith
4
0.007
0.005
0.006
AR: Little Rock
7
0.008
0.005
0.007
AZ: Phoenix
9
0.019
0.009
0.013
AZ: Phoenix/956
8
0.023
0.006
0.013
AZ: Tucson
9
0.013
0.005
0.009
AZ: Yuma
2
0.009
0.006
0.008
CA: Anaheim
8
0.012
0.003
0.007
CA: Bakersfield
6
0.013
0.003
0.007
CA: Eureka
2
0.003
0.002
0.003
CA: Fresno
2
0.006
0.004
0.005
CA: Los Angeles
4
0.011
0.005
0.007
CA: Richmond
4
0.006
0.002
0.004
CA: Riverside
8
0.011
0.004
0.006
CA: Sacramento
9
0.007
0.002
0.004
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
8
0.014
0.004
0.008
CA: San Diego
6
0.007
0.003
0.005
CA: San Francisco
9
0.003
0.001
0.002
CA: San Jose
8
0.006
0.002
0.003
CO: Denver
7
0.015
0.008
0.011
CO: Grand Junction
6
0.014
0.004
0.009
CT: Hartford
9
0.007
0.004
0.006
DC: Washington
9
0.010
0.006
0.008
DE: Dover
6
0.008
0.005
0.007
FL: Jacksonville
9
0.007
0.003
0.005
FL: Miami
4
0.003
0.002
0.003
FL: Orlando
9
0.008
0.003
0.006
FL: Tallahassee
4
0.008
0.005
0.007
FL: Tampa
5
0.007
0.005
0.005
GA: Atlanta
4
0.009
0.007
0.008
GA: Augusta
7
0.012
0.005
0.008
HI: Hilo
9
0.005
0.002
0.003
HI: Honolulu
9
0.006
0.001
0.003
IA: Des Moines
7
0.014
0.005
0.009
10
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
IA: Mason City
5
0.012
0.004
0.008
ID: Idaho Falls
9
0.014
0.004
0.007
IL: Aurora
9
0.012
0.006
0.010
IL: Chicago
8
0.010
0.006
0.008
IN: Fort Wayne
1
0.009
0.009
0.009
IN: Indianapolis
9
0.011
0.007
0.009
KS: Kansas City
7
0.009
0.004
0.006
KS: Topeka
9
0.011
0.006
0.009
KS: Wichita
7
0.016
0.006
0.009
KY: Lexington
8
0.017
0.010
0.012
KY: Louisville
8
0.008
0.006
0.007
LA: Baton Rouge
9
0.005
0.003
0.004
LA: Shreveport
7
0.005
0.003
0.004
MA: Boston
9
0.007
0.005
0.006
MA: Worcester
7
0.013
0.006
0.010
ME: Orono
5
0.010
0.005
0.008
ME: Portland
8
0.009
0.006
0.007
MI: Bay City 48708
8
0.011
0.006
0.008
MI: Detroit
9
0.011
0.006
0.009
MI: Grand Rapids
7
0.010
0.008
0.009
MI: Lansing
9
0.030
0.013
0.021
MN: Duluth
5
0.011
0.005
0.007
MN: St. Paul
4
0.009
0.006
0.008
MO: Jefferson City
9
0.010
0.004
0.006
MO: Springfield
7
0.011
0.004
0.007
MO: St. Louis
2
0.009
0.007
0.008
MS: Jackson/Deq
9
0.010
0.005
0.007
MT: Billings
4
0.010
0.007
0.008
NC: Charlotte
9
0.009
0.005
0.007
NC: Raleigh
3
0.007
0.005
0.006
NC: Wilmington
4
0.006
0.005
0.006
ND: Bismarck
7
0.015
0.005
0.009
NE: Kearney
7
0.010
0.006
0.008
NE: Lincoln
9
0.012
0.006
0.009
NE: Omaha
4
0.011
0.008
0.010
NH: Concord
6
0.008
0.006
0.007
NJ: Edison
9
0.006
0.002
0.005
NJ: Trenton
7
0.011
0.007
0.009
11
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Carlsbad
5
0.014
0.006
0.010
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
4
0.015
0.007
0.010
NV: Las Vegas/913
2
0.005
0.004
0.005
NV: Reno
9
0.013
0.001
0.007
NY: Albany
7
0.014
0.010
0.012
NY: Lockport
8
0.009
0.006
0.007
NY: New York City
4
0.008
0.006
0.007
NY: Rochester
6
0.011
0.006
0.009
NY: Yaphank
9
0.006
0.004
0.005
OH: Cincinnati
9
0.009
0.006
0.008
OH: Cleveland
6
0.009
0.006
0.007
OH: Painesville
7
0.010
0.006
0.008
OH: Toledo
8
0.013
0.008
0.011
OK: Oklahoma City
9
0.008
0.004
0.006
OK: Tulsa
4
0.007
0.004
0.006
OR: Corvallis
9
0.003
0.001
0.002
OR: Portland
9
0.004
0.002
0.002
PA: Philadelphia
5
0.008
0.006
0.007
PA: Pittsburgh
4
0.010
0.008
0.009
PR: San Juan
9
0.009
0.002
0.004
RI: Providence
1
0.007
0.007
0.007
SC: Barnwell
2
0.011
0.007
0.009
SC: Columbia
4
0.011
0.007
0.009
SD: Pierre
8
0.011
0.006
0.009
SD: Rapid City
6
0.012
0.008
0.009
TN: Knoxville
8
0.019
0.006
0.010
TN: Memphis
4
0.008
0.006
0.007
TN: Nashville
7
0.010
0.006
0.007
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
9
0.010
0.006
0.008
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
9
0.011
0.006
0.009
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
9
0.011
0.007
0.009
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
9
0.012
0.007
0.009
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W
9
0.012
0.006
0.009
TX: Austin
3
0.013
0.006
0.008
TX: Dallas
9
0.011
0.004
0.007
TX: El Paso
6
0.017
0.010
0.014
TX: Ft. Worth
8
0.008
0.004
0.006
TX: Harlingen
4
0.007
0.004
0.006
12
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Houston
8
0.013
0.005
0.008
TX: Laredo
8
0.011
0.005
0.008
TX: San Angelo
6
0.009
0.004
0.006
TX: San Antonio
9
0.012
0.004
0.007
UT: Salt Lake City
9
0.020
0.005
0.009
VA: Harrisonburg
9
0.013
0.005
0.009
VA: Lynchburg
9
0.013
0.007
0.009
VA: Richmond
8
0.008
0.005
0.007
VA: Virginia Beach
7
0.007
0.005
0.006
VT: Burlington
9
0.013
0.006
0.009
WA: Olympia
8
0.004
0.001
0.002
WA: Richland
9
0.006
0.002
0.004
WA: Seattle
5
0.003
0.002
0.002
WA: Spokane
8
0.007
0.002
0.004
WI: Madison
9
0.012
0.007
0.009
WI: Milwaukee
7
0.010
0.004
0.008
WV: Charleston
6
0.009
0.007
0.008
13
-------
Table 5
Specific Gamma in Precipitation
January 2012
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ±
2 M
AL: Montgomery/408
ND
AR: Little Rock
ND
CA: Richmond
Be-7
300
260
Cs-134
33.2
7.1
Cs-137
56
10
Tl-208
10.1
8.1
K-40
320
280
Pb-212
62
43
CO: Denver
Pb-211
25
22
Pb-212
2.8
2.5
CT: Hartford
ND
FL: Jacksonville
ND
GA: Atlanta
ND
HI: Honolulu
ND
ID: Idaho Falls
ND
MA: Boston
K-40
17
13
MN: St. Paul
ND
NC: Charlotte
Be-7
102
42
NC: Wilmington
ND
NY: Albany
ND
NY: Yap hank
Be-7
44
39
OH: Painesville
ND
OR: Portland
ND
PA: Harrisburg
ND
TN: Knoxville
Pb-212
2.1
2.0
TN: Nashville
K-40
12
12
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
K-40
17
12
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
35
24
Tl-208
0.67
0.65
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
ND
TX: Austin
Ra-224
29
22
TX: El Paso
K-40
13
12
UT: Salt Lake City
Pb-212
3.6
2.5
VA: Lynchburg
ND
WA: Olympia
Pb-212
2.1
2.0
14
-------
Table 6
Specific Gamma in Precipitation
February 2012
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ±
2 M
AL: Montgomery/408
Be-7
40
31
AR: Little Rock
ND
CA: Richmond
Cs-134
2.7
1.3
Cs-137
5.6
1.4
CO: Denver
Tl-208
1.4
1.3
CT: Hartford
Be-7
80
26
Pb-212
1.8
1.3
Tl-208
1.59
0.69
FL: Jacksonville
K-40
21
13
GA: Atlanta
ND
HI: Honolulu
ND
ID: Idaho Falls
K-40
14.4
8.7
Tl-208
0.79
0.63
MA: Boston
Be-7
101
33
K-40
13
12
Pb-212
2.3
2.3
NC: Charlotte
K-40
18
12
Pb-212
2.5
2.1
NC: Wilmington
Be-7
29
28
K-40
21
13
NY: Albany
Be-7
63
49
NY: Yap hank
Be-7
49
28
K-40
14
13
OR: Portland
Tl-208
1.32
0.94
TN: Knoxville
ND
TN: Nashville
Be-7
105
41
K-40
21
12
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Be-7
95
41
Pb-212
2.9
2.4
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
112
39
K-40
23
12
Pb-212
2.6
2.5
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
Be-7
47
33
TX: Austin
K-40
15
13
UT: Salt Lake City
ND
VA: Lynchburg
K-40
14
14
Pb-212
2.4
2.0
Ra-228
4.4
4.3
WA: Olympia
Tl-208
1.6
1.1
15
-------
Table 7
Specific Gamma in Precipitation
March 2012
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ±
2 M
AL: Montgomery/408
Be-7
36
30
Tl-208
1.5
1.3
AR: Little Rock
ND
CA: Richmond
Be-7
30
21
Cs-137
1.17
0.92
CT: Hartford
Be-7
40
25
FL: Jacksonville
Ra-228
2.4
2.2
GA: Atlanta
Be-7
78
32
HI: Honolulu
ND
ID: Idaho Falls
Be-7
41
32
KS: Kansas City
Be-7
41
30
MA: Boston
Be-7
34
29
Tl-208
1.5
1.2
MN: St. Paul
ND
MN: Welch/510
ND
NC: Charlotte
Be-7
32
29
NC: Wilmington
K-40
11
11
NH: Concord
ND
NY: Albany
Be-7
64
29
NY: Yap hank
Be-7
23
18
OH: Painesville
Be-7
55
27
Pb-212
2.7
2.3
Tl-208
0.95
0.94
OR: Portland
ND
PA: Harrisburg
ND
TN: Knoxville
Tl-208
2.1
1.2
TN: Nashville
ND
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Pb-212
3.3
2.1
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
37
30
K-40
15
12
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
Be-7
33
29
Pb-212
3.8
2.6
Tl-208
1.6
1.3
TX: Austin
ND
UT: Salt Lake City
ND
VA: Lynchburg
K-40
11
10
Tl-208
1.2
1.0
WA: Olympia
Tl-208
1.9
1.3
16
-------
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 airborne particulate
samplers. Plutonium and uranium results are published in the ERD for the third quarter of the
following year.
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.
17
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18
-------
2. Drinking Water Program
The RadNet drinking water program provides data on radionuclide concentrations in the nation's
drinking water supplies. Sampling sites are either major population centers or selected nuclear
facility environs.
Drinking water data are used to assess trends and anomalies in concentrations. The analysis
scheme for RadNet samples is similar to that of EPA's "National Interim Primary Drinking
Water Regulations." 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; (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. Composite results are published in the ERD for the third quarter of
the following year.
RadNet drinking water data should not be used to monitor compliance with drinking water regu-
lations or for comparisons to those data since different procedures for collection and analysis
may be used.
19
-------
Table 8
Tritium in Drinking Water
January-March 2012
Date
3H
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2u
AK: Fairbanks
01/03/12
-27 77
AL: Dothan
01/05/12
-2 77
AL: Montgomery
01/30/12
-58 77
AL: Muscle Shoals
01/12/12
-18 90
AL: Scottsboro
01/11/12
-47 87
AR: Little Rock
01/06/12
-16 77
CA: Richmond
01/06/12
9 78
CO: Denver
01/06/12
-7 77
CT: Hartford
01/04/12
-23 77
DE: Dover
01/09/12
-41 88
FL: Tampa
01/03/12
2 78
GA: Baxley
03/13/12
-23 78
GA: Savannah
01/03/12
-52 75
HI: Honolulu
03/09/12
66 75
IA: Cedar Rapids
01/04/12
-36 91
ID: Boise
01/03/12
-11 77
ID: Idaho Falls
01/06/12
134 96
IL: Morris
03/20/12
7 79
KS: Topeka
01/26/12
2 79
LA: New Orleans
03/29/12
80 76
MD: Baltimore
01/09/12
-12 89
MD: Conowingo
01/03/12
-45 78
MI: Detroit
02/27/12
57 81
MN: St. Paul
01/10/12
-20 89
MN: Welch
01/10/12
-35 88
MO: Jefferson City
01/06/12
-18 76
MS: Jackson
01/11/12
-22 90
MS: Port Gibson
01/11/12
19 96
ND: Bismarck
02/15/12
-40 77
NE: Lincoln
01/12/12
-61 87
NH: Concord
02/14/12
-7 78
NJ: Trenton
01/30/12
20 80
NJ: Waretown
01/30/12
18 80
NY: Albany
01/26/12
-14 89
NY: New York City
01/09/12
45 92
NY: Niagara Falls
01/03/12
16 79
NY: Syracuse
01/31/12
18 81
OH: Cincinnati
01/03/12
56 80
OH: Columbus
02/03/12
-25 78
OH: E. Liverpool
02/01/12
-34 77
20
-------
Table 8 (continued)
Tritium in Drinking Water
January-March 2012
Date
3H
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2u
OH: Painesville
02/15/12
72 82
OH: Toledo
02/08/12
-7 79
OR: Portland
03/29/12
94 76
PA: Columbia
01/03/12
13 79
PA: Harrisburg
01/03/12
-10 90
PA: Pittsburgh
01/31/12
-29 78
RI: Providence
01/03/12
-38 76
SC: Barnwell
01/25/12
-16 89
SC: Columbia
01/17/12
10 90
SC: Jenkinsville
01/11/12
22 91
SC: Seneca
01/16/12
0 90
TN: Knoxville
01/04/12
-45 77
TN: Oak Ridge/#360
01/05/12
25 79
TN: OakRidge/#371
01/05/12
-34 76
TN: Oak Ridge/#4442
01/05/12
23 79
TN: Oak Ridge/#768
01/05/12
-59 75
TN: Oak Ridge/#772
01/05/12
-12 89
TX: Austin
01/26/12
27 80
VA: Ashland
02/17/12
3220 220
VA: Lynchburg
01/05/12
13 79
WA: Richland
01/10/12
-2 90
WI: Madison
01/05/12
38 79
21
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22
-------
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.
Milk samples are collected quarterly at each of the sampling sites. 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.
23
-------
Table 9
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
January-March 2012
Date
K
137Cs
140Ba
131 j
Location
Collected
g/L ± 2 h
pCi/L ± 2m
pCi/L ± 2u
pCi/L ± 2u
AR: Little Rock
01/31/12
1.66 0.19
ND
ND
NR
AZ: Phoenix
03/30/12
1.68 0.19
ND
ND
ND
CA: Los Angeles
03/08/12
1.66 0.19
ND
ND
ND
CA: San Francisco
01/11/12
1.92 0.23
2.9 2.5
ND
ND
CT: Hartford
02/15/12
1.66 0.20
ND
ND
NR
DE: Wilmington
01/23/12
1.65 0.20
ND
ND
ND
FL: Plant City
01/24/12
1.73 0.20
2.7 2.2
ND
ND
HI: Hilo
01/24/12
1.74 0.20
ND
NR
NR
IA: Des Moines
01/30/12
1.65 0.19
ND
NR
NR
KS: Wichita
02/14/12
1.73 0.20
ND
ND
NR
KY: Louisville
01/11/12
1.66 0.19
ND
ND
ND
MA: Boston
03/29/12
1.67 0.20
ND
ND
ND
MD: Baltimore
01/09/12
1.58 0.19
ND
ND
ND
MI: Detroit
01/31/12
1.62 0.19
ND
NR
NR
MO: Jefferson City
03/07/12
1.69 0.19
ND
ND
ND
NJ: Trenton
01/06/12
1.63 0.20
ND
ND
ND
NM: Albuquerque
03/07/12
1.51 0.18
ND
ND
ND
NV: Las Vegas
01/09/12
1.77 0.20
ND
NR
NR
NV: Reno
01/12/12
1.67 0.19
ND
ND
ND
NY: Buffalo
02/22/12
1.65 0.19
ND
ND
NR
NY: Syracuse
01/09/12
1.61 0.19
ND
ND
ND
OH: Cincinnati
01/09/12
1.69 0.19
ND
ND
ND
OH: Cleveland
02/14/12
1.70 0.19
ND
ND
NR
PA: Pittsburgh
01/10/12
1.71 0.19
ND
ND
ND
TN: Chattanooga
01/05/12
1.72 0.20
ND
ND
ND
TN: Knoxville
01/18/12
1.57 0.19
ND
ND
ND
TN: Memphis
01/23/12
1.58 0.19
ND
ND
ND
TX: San Antonio
01/31/12
1.58 0.19
ND
NR
NR
WA: Spokane
01/24/12
1.63 0.19
ND
NR
NR
WA: Tacoma
03/31/12
1.73 0.20
ND
ND
ND
WV: Charleston
01/09/12
1.73 0.20
ND
ND
ND
Note: ND = Not detected
NR = No result (not analyzed within 5 half-lives of collection)
24
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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 RadNet and the data that are generated
should be directed as follows:
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 Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory
540 South Morris Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36115-2601
email: 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
email: edwards.jonathan@epa.gov
***
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