Environmental
Radiation
Data
report 152
October-December 2012
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 17
2. Water Program 19
3. Milk Program 25
Pasteurized Milk 25
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: October 2012 2
3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: November 2012 6
4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: December 2012 10
5 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: October 2012 14
6 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: November 2012 15
7 Specific Gamma in Precipitation: December 2012 16
8 Tritium in Drinking Water: October-December 2012 20
9 Iodine-131 in Drinking Water: January-December 2012 22
10 Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk: October-December 2012 26
v
-------
This page intentionally left blank
vi
-------
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
-------
This page intentionally left blank
viii
-------
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
-------
This page intentionally left blank
x
-------
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
-------
This page intentionally left blank
Xll
-------
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.
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 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
-------
Table 2
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
October 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
8
0.008
0.001
0.004
AK: Fairbanks
8
0.012
0.002
0.005
AK: Juneau
6
0.004
0.001
0.002
AL: Birmingham
8
0.018
0.007
0.013
AL: Montgomery/408
9
0.026
0.012
0.019
AR: Fort Smith
4
0.018
0.011
0.014
AR: Little Rock
6
0.014
0.006
0.011
AZ: Phoenix
7
0.023
0.007
0.015
AZ: Phoenix/956
8
0.021
0.009
0.014
AZ: Tucson
9
0.018
0.005
0.011
CA: Anaheim
9
0.018
0.005
0.011
CA: Bakersfield
4
0.028
0.005
0.016
CA: Eureka
3
0.006
0.003
0.004
CA: Fresno
4
0.019
0.007
0.013
CA: Los Angeles
5
0.015
0.007
0.011
CA: Richmond
5
0.008
0.004
0.006
CA: Riverside
8
0.014
0.005
0.009
CA: Sacramento
2
0.012
0.011
0.011
CA: San Diego
3
0.009
0.008
0.008
CA: San Francisco
7
0.007
0.001
0.004
CA: San Jose
9
0.013
0.004
0.007
CO: Colorado Springs
4
0.016
0.011
0.013
CO: Denver
9
0.020
0.008
0.011
CO: Grand Junction
6
0.024
0.008
0.014
CT: Hartford
9
0.008
0.002
0.005
DC: Washington
8
0.015
0.005
0.009
DE: Dover
6
0.009
0.002
0.007
FL: Jacksonville
9
0.014
0.003
0.007
FL: Miami
4
0.004
0.002
0.003
FL: Orlando
9
0.010
0.002
0.006
FL: Tallahassee
4
0.017
0.009
0.012
FL: Tampa
6
0.012
0.007
0.009
GA: Atlanta
4
0.012
0.008
0.010
GA: Augusta
8
0.018
0.007
0.011
HI: Hilo
9
0.004
0.002
0.003
HI: Honolulu
9
0.005
0.002
0.003
IA: Des Moines
5
0.016
0.009
0.013
IA: Mason City
6
0.014
0.007
0.011
2
-------
Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
October 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
ID: Idaho Falls
5
0.011
0.004
0.009
IL: Aurora
8
0.014
0.008
0.011
IL: Champaign
8
0.016
0.007
0.012
IL: Chicago
8
0.013
0.005
0.009
IN: Fort Wayne
4
0.019
0.009
0.013
IN: Indianapolis
9
0.016
0.007
0.011
KS: Kansas City
3
0.016
0.013
0.014
KS: Topeka
9
0.020
0.008
0.013
KS: Wichita
6
0.014
0.008
0.011
KY: Lexington
9
0.020
0.005
0.013
KY: Louisville
6
0.015
0.007
0.011
LA: Baton Rouge
9
0.021
0.004
0.013
LA: Shreveport
8
0.015
0.006
0.010
MA: Boston
9
0.009
0.002
0.005
MA: Worcester
9
0.011
0.004
0.007
MD: Baltimore
8
0.020
0.008
0.011
ME: Orono
2
0.008
0.004
0.006
ME: Portland
7
0.010
0.001
0.006
MI: Bay City 48708
9
0.015
0.005
0.008
MI: Detroit
9
0.016
0.006
0.009
MI: Grand Rapids
4
0.011
0.006
0.009
MI: Lansing
9
0.032
0.011
0.020
MN: Duluth
9
0.011
0.005
0.007
MN: St. Paul
5
0.013
0.008
0.010
MO: Jefferson City
9
0.024
0.010
0.015
MO: Springfield
8
0.023
0.009
0.014
MO: St. Louis
5
0.012
0.007
0.009
NC: Charlotte
9
0.013
0.008
0.011
NC: Wilmington
4
0.013
0.009
0.012
ND: Bismarck
5
0.015
0.006
0.010
NE: Kearney
8
0.021
0.007
0.012
NE: Lincoln
9
0.020
0.007
0.012
NE: Omaha
3
0.020
0.012
0.017
NH: Concord
3
0.014
0.002
0.007
NJ: Edison
7
0.012
0.004
0.007
NM: Albuquerque
4
0.015
0.007
0.011
NM: Carlsbad
5
0.024
0.017
0.019
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
5
0.012
0.010
0.011
3
-------
Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
October 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NV: Las Vegas/913
9
0.016
0.005
0.009
NV: Reno
8
0.034
0.005
0.017
NY: Albany
8
0.012
0.004
0.008
NY: Lockport
9
0.016
0.004
0.008
NY: New York City
4
0.009
0.005
0.008
NY: Rochester
7
0.019
0.006
0.009
NY: Syracuse
4
0.013
0.007
0.009
NY: Yaphank
6
0.009
0.003
0.005
OH: Cincinnati
7
0.014
0.007
0.009
OH: Cleveland
9
0.016
0.008
0.010
OH: Painesville
6
0.012
0.007
0.009
OH: Toledo
8
0.010
0.004
0.007
OK: Oklahoma City
9
0.022
0.009
0.015
OK: Tulsa
9
0.019
0.008
0.014
OR: Corvallis
8
0.008
0.001
0.004
OR: Portland
8
0.014
0.002
0.005
PA: Bloomsburg
5
0.024
0.007
0.013
PA: Philadelphia
4
0.015
0.006
0.010
PA: Pittsburgh
6
0.015
0.005
0.010
PR: San Juan
9
0.004
0.002
0.003
RI: Providence
4
0.007
0.003
0.005
SC: Columbia
4
0.019
0.011
0.014
SD: Pierre
9
0.021
0.007
0.013
SD: Rapid City
9
0.022
0.006
0.012
TN: Knoxville
5
0.019
0.009
0.016
TN: Memphis
5
0.016
0.006
0.011
TN: Nashville
5
0.017
0.006
0.011
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
9
0.019
0.007
0.014
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
9
0.021
0.009
0.016
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
9
0.020
0.008
0.014
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
9
0.019
0.008
0.015
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W
9
0.017
0.008
0.013
TX: Austin
4
0.027
0.013
0.021
TX: Dallas
9
0.026
0.009
0.016
TX: El Paso
8
0.038
0.015
0.022
TX: Ft. Worth
7
0.023
0.008
0.014
TX: Harlingen
4
0.012
0.006
0.010
TX: Houston
9
0.028
0.011
0.016
4
-------
Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
October 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Laredo
7
0.018
0.005
0.010
TX: Lubbock
5
0.019
0.011
0.015
TX: San Angelo
6
0.021
0.007
0.014
TX: San Antonio
8
0.020
0.007
0.011
UT: Salt Lake City
7
0.029
0.006
0.016
UT: St. George
4
0.017
0.007
0.012
VA: Harrisonburg
9
0.019
0.009
0.014
VA: Lynchburg
8
0.019
0.009
0.015
VA: Richmond
5
0.015
0.009
0.012
VA: Virginia Beach
9
0.014
0.002
0.008
VT: Burlington
9
0.015
0.003
0.007
WA: Olympia
9
0.014
0.001
0.004
WA: Richland
8
0.020
0.004
0.010
WA: Seattle
4
0.014
0.001
0.005
WA: Spokane
9
0.015
0.003
0.007
WI: Madison
7
0.016
0.005
0.010
WI: Milwaukee
5
0.009
0.005
0.007
WI: Shawano
9
0.015
0.004
0.008
WV: Charleston
6
0.023
0.008
0.015
5
-------
Table 3
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
November 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
4
0.010
0.007
0.009
AK: Fairbanks
8
0.012
0.004
0.008
AK: Juneau
5
0.006
0.004
0.005
AL: Birmingham
9
0.025
0.010
0.015
AL: Montgomery/408
9
0.026
0.011
0.020
AR: Fort Smith
3
0.020
0.009
0.015
AR: Little Rock
7
0.020
0.008
0.014
AZ: Phoenix
7
0.026
0.014
0.021
AZ: Phoenix/956
5
0.029
0.018
0.023
AZ: Tucson
8
0.021
0.006
0.012
AZ: Yuma
1
0.010
0.010
0.010
CA: Anaheim
7
0.016
0.005
0.010
CA: Bakersfield
7
0.050
0.007
0.026
CA: Fresno
4
0.018
0.015
0.016
CA: Los Angeles
3
0.019
0.016
0.017
CA: Richmond
4
0.011
0.005
0.008
CA: Riverside
8
0.024
0.007
0.015
CA: Sacramento
7
0.023
0.006
0.013
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
6
0.022
0.008
0.015
CA: San Diego
3
0.015
0.003
0.008
CA: San Francisco
9
0.007
0.001
0.004
CA: San Jose
6
0.008
0.002
0.005
CO: Colorado Springs
2
0.012
0.012
0.012
CO: Denver
9
0.016
0.005
0.011
CO: Grand Junction
5
0.020
0.009
0.013
CT: Hartford
7
0.011
0.001
0.006
DC: Washington
9
0.016
0.002
0.010
DE: Dover
4
0.012
0.009
0.010
FL: Jacksonville
8
0.014
0.007
0.010
FL: Miami
4
0.008
0.003
0.005
FL: Orlando
6
0.012
0.006
0.009
FL: Tallahassee
4
0.014
0.008
0.011
FL: Tampa
6
0.015
0.006
0.010
GA: Atlanta
4
0.014
0.011
0.012
GA: Augusta
5
0.016
0.013
0.014
HI: Hilo
9
0.004
0.001
0.002
HI: Honolulu
9
0.003
0.002
0.003
IA: Des Moines
8
0.041
0.012
0.019
6
-------
Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
November 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
IA: Mason City
6
0.020
0.010
0.013
ID: Boise
2
0.011
0.004
0.008
ID: Idaho Falls
9
0.021
0.006
0.013
IL: Aurora
8
0.037
0.009
0.021
IL: Champaign
7
0.027
0.009
0.018
IL: Chicago
7
0.027
0.008
0.015
IN: Fort Wayne
3
0.031
0.006
0.017
IN: Indianapolis
8
0.031
0.006
0.018
KS: Kansas City
7
0.030
0.012
0.021
KS: Topeka
8
0.027
0.009
0.018
KS: Wichita
5
0.028
0.013
0.020
KY: Lexington
7
0.020
0.007
0.015
KY: Louisville
7
0.025
0.007
0.015
LA: Baton Rouge
8
0.016
0.007
0.013
LA: Shreveport
8
0.018
0.006
0.012
MA: Boston
9
0.028
0.001
0.013
MA: Worcester
9
0.021
0.002
0.011
MD: Baltimore
8
0.021
0.005
0.012
ME: Portland
6
0.025
0.006
0.014
MI: Bay City 48708
8
0.024
0.002
0.013
MI: Detroit
7
0.022
0.004
0.015
MI: Grand Rapids
4
0.024
0.005
0.012
MI: Lansing
9
0.073
0.007
0.037
MN: Duluth
7
0.034
0.005
0.017
MN: St. Paul
4
0.022
0.011
0.016
MO: Jefferson City
8
0.040
0.012
0.022
MO: Springfield
6
0.028
0.009
0.020
MO: St. Louis
4
0.021
0.009
0.014
NC: Charlotte
8
0.016
0.004
0.012
NC: Wilmington
5
0.013
0.008
0.011
ND: Bismarck
4
0.023
0.007
0.017
NE: Kearney
9
0.027
0.008
0.017
NE: Lincoln
9
0.025
0.010
0.018
NE: Omaha
3
0.022
0.014
0.018
NH: Concord
5
0.025
0.004
0.017
NJ: Edison
6
0.017
0.007
0.011
NM: Albuquerque
3
0.019
0.010
0.014
NM: Carlsbad
5
0.022
0.018
0.019
7
-------
Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
November 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
4
0.017
0.009
0.012
NV: Las Vegas/913
9
0.015
0.007
0.011
NV: Reno
7
0.023
0.006
0.014
NY: Albany
6
0.032
0.001
0.012
NY: Lockport
9
0.022
0.001
0.011
NY: New York City
2
0.013
0.010
0.012
NY: Rochester
5
0.016
0.001
0.008
NY: Syracuse
4
0.019
0.004
0.012
OH: Cincinnati
9
0.017
0.004
0.012
OH: Cleveland
9
0.030
0.001
0.015
OH: Painesville
7
0.021
0.002
0.014
OH: Toledo
9
0.018
0.001
0.010
OK: Oklahoma City
8
0.027
0.008
0.019
OK: Tulsa
9
0.030
0.010
0.020
OR: Corvallis
8
0.007
0.001
0.003
OR: Portland
8
0.008
0.002
0.003
PA: Bloomsburg
8
0.021
0.003
0.015
PA: Philadelphia
5
0.016
0.003
0.010
PA: Pittsburgh
5
0.016
0.003
0.011
PR: San Juan
9
0.003
0.001
0.002
RI: Providence
4
0.009
0.002
0.006
SC: Columbia
5
0.016
0.006
0.013
SD: Pierre
8
0.036
0.008
0.021
SD: Rapid City
6
0.020
0.013
0.015
TN: Knoxville
7
0.023
0.012
0.018
TN: Memphis
3
0.020
0.015
0.018
TN: Nashville
7
0.020
0.008
0.013
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
7
0.017
0.008
0.014
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
7
0.017
0.009
0.014
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
7
0.027
0.004
0.014
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
7
0.018
0.009
0.014
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W
7
0.018
0.009
0.014
TX: Austin
4
0.026
0.015
0.018
TX: Dallas
7
0.026
0.010
0.019
TX: El Paso
1
0.035
0.035
0.035
TX: Ft. Worth
4
0.026
0.012
0.018
TX: Harlingen
5
0.016
0.007
0.011
TX: Houston
9
0.023
0.009
0.016
8
-------
Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
November 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Laredo
5
0.012
0.008
0.010
TX: Lubbock
8
0.025
0.012
0.018
TX: San Angelo
6
0.021
0.012
0.016
TX: San Antonio
9
0.021
0.008
0.014
UT: Salt Lake City
7
0.019
0.007
0.013
UT: St. George
3
0.017
0.010
0.014
VA: Harrisonburg
8
0.017
0.004
0.012
VA: Lynchburg
8
0.020
0.001
0.012
VA: Richmond
2
0.014
0.011
0.012
VA: Virginia Beach
7
0.011
0.004
0.008
VT: Burlington
8
0.024
0.002
0.008
WA: Olympia
8
0.005
0.001
0.003
WA: Richland
8
0.017
0.002
0.008
WA: Seattle
5
0.003
0.001
0.002
WA: Spokane
8
0.010
0.002
0.005
WI: Madison
7
0.026
0.012
0.017
WI: Milwaukee
8
0.027
0.005
0.014
WI: Shawano
9
0.040
0.006
0.016
WV: Charleston
6
0.020
0.007
0.014
9
-------
Table 4
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
December 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
9
0.008
0.001
0.005
AK: Fairbanks
9
0.017
0.005
0.011
AK: Juneau
4
0.007
0.000
0.004
AL: Birmingham
8
0.017
0.007
0.012
AL: Montgomery/408
8
0.022
0.008
0.015
AR: Fort Smith
1
0.012
0.012
0.012
AR: Little Rock
2
0.015
0.012
0.013
AZ: Phoenix
9
0.025
0.006
0.017
AZ: Phoenix/956
6
0.021
0.006
0.012
AZ: Tucson
5
0.016
0.007
0.011
AZ: Yuma
1
0.007
0.007
0.007
CA: Anaheim
1
0.005
0.005
0.005
CA: Bakersfield
8
0.028
0.004
0.010
CA: Eureka
2
0.009
0.001
0.005
CA: Fresno
5
0.023
0.004
0.012
CA: Los Angeles
3
0.018
0.008
0.015
CA: Richmond
4
0.005
0.003
0.004
CA: Riverside
8
0.016
0.003
0.008
CA: Sacramento
9
0.015
0.004
0.007
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
8
0.013
0.003
0.007
CA: San Diego
3
0.014
0.004
0.008
CA: San Francisco
9
0.004
0.001
0.002
CA: San Jose
7
0.005
0.002
0.003
CO: Colorado Springs
4
0.022
0.004
0.012
CO: Denver
9
0.040
0.005
0.012
CO: Grand Junction
5
0.030
0.012
0.021
CT: Hartford
4
0.006
0.003
0.004
DC: Washington
9
0.018
0.003
0.010
DE: Dover
4
0.024
0.010
0.014
FL: Jacksonville
8
0.007
0.004
0.005
FL: Miami
1
0.004
0.004
0.004
FL: Orlando
5
0.005
0.003
0.004
FL: Tallahassee
4
0.010
0.006
0.008
FL: Tampa
7
0.008
0.003
0.006
GA: Atlanta
3
0.011
0.007
0.009
GA: Augusta
7
0.015
0.007
0.011
HI: Hilo
9
0.004
0.001
0.002
HI: Honolulu
9
0.004
0.001
0.002
10
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
December 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
IA: Des Moines
6
0.041
0.009
0.024
IA: Mason City
4
0.028
0.012
0.022
ID: Boise
5
0.005
0.003
0.004
ID: Idaho Falls
9
0.014
0.004
0.008
IL: Aurora
7
0.038
0.011
0.022
IL: Champaign
3
0.025
0.002
0.016
IL: Chicago
7
0.039
0.005
0.017
IN: Fort Wayne
2
0.024
0.006
0.015
IN: Indianapolis
9
0.035
0.007
0.017
KS: Kansas City
6
0.043
0.004
0.029
KS: Topeka
7
0.044
0.005
0.026
KS: Wichita
5
0.040
0.009
0.024
KY: Lexington
5
0.020
0.012
0.016
KY: Louisville
8
0.024
0.007
0.015
LA: Baton Rouge
7
0.015
0.004
0.010
LA: Shreveport
8
0.015
0.006
0.009
MA: Boston
9
0.020
0.002
0.011
MA: Worcester
8
0.015
0.003
0.009
MD: Baltimore
7
0.024
0.011
0.016
ME: Portland
8
0.015
0.007
0.010
MI: Bay City 48708
7
0.025
0.008
0.015
MI: Detroit
6
0.026
0.009
0.014
MI: Grand Rapids
3
0.020
0.014
0.017
MI: Lansing
8
0.067
0.022
0.036
MN: Duluth
6
0.028
0.010
0.018
MN: St. Paul
4
0.036
0.012
0.021
MO: Jefferson City
9
0.039
0.013
0.022
MO: Springfield
6
0.030
0.007
0.020
MO: St. Louis
3
0.017
0.011
0.014
NC: Charlotte
7
0.013
0.007
0.011
NC: Wilmington
4
0.014
0.006
0.009
ND: Bismarck
7
0.036
0.011
0.022
NE: Kearney
5
0.022
0.006
0.014
NE: Lincoln
8
0.034
0.007
0.018
NE: Omaha
5
0.046
0.014
0.025
NH: Concord
4
0.017
0.009
0.013
NJ: Edison
6
0.016
0.005
0.007
NM: Albuquerque
3
0.012
0.007
0.009
11
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
December 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Carlsbad
4
0.020
0.003
0.009
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
3
0.013
0.001
0.009
NV: Las Vegas/913
6
0.011
0.003
0.006
NV: Reno
9
0.014
0.003
0.006
NY: Albany
6
0.016
0.005
0.011
NY: Lockport
9
0.022
0.007
0.011
NY: New York City
2
0.009
0.005
0.007
NY: Rochester
9
0.018
0.005
0.009
NY: Syracuse
3
0.017
0.008
0.012
NY: Yaphank
7
0.010
0.002
0.006
OH: Cincinnati
9
0.027
0.006
0.013
OH: Cleveland
9
0.029
0.010
0.016
OH: Painesville
7
0.023
0.008
0.014
OH: Toledo
8
0.019
0.005
0.011
OK: Oklahoma City
7
0.039
0.010
0.022
OK: Tulsa
9
0.031
0.010
0.021
OR: Corvallis
5
0.005
0.001
0.002
OR: Portland
9
0.004
0.001
0.002
PA: Bloomsburg
6
0.023
0.010
0.016
PA: Philadelphia
4
0.015
0.008
0.011
PA: Pittsburgh
2
0.018
0.008
0.013
PR: San Juan
8
0.002
0.001
0.002
RI: Providence
4
0.009
0.004
0.005
SC: Columbia
5
0.013
0.010
0.012
SD: Pierre
9
0.047
0.010
0.025
SD: Rapid City
5
0.056
0.006
0.018
TN: Knoxville
6
0.023
0.010
0.018
TN: Memphis
5
0.019
0.009
0.013
TN: Nashville
6
0.014
0.005
0.010
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
7
0.018
0.006
0.013
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
7
0.020
0.006
0.014
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
7
0.025
0.006
0.016
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
7
0.018
0.007
0.014
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 W
6
0.019
0.006
0.013
TX: Austin
5
0.023
0.010
0.016
TX: Dallas
8
0.033
0.010
0.018
TX: El Paso
1
0.017
0.017
0.017
TX: Ft. Worth
7
0.021
0.008
0.014
12
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
December 2012
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
IMin
Avg
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Harlingen
5
0.017
0.001
0.010
TX: Houston
6
0.015
0.011
0.012
TX: Lubbock
4
0.014
0.007
0.011
TX: San Angelo
2
0.021
0.017
0.019
TX: San Antonio
9
0.025
0.006
0.015
UT: Salt Lake City
7
0.011
0.005
0.008
UT: St. George
3
0.017
0.007
0.012
VA: Harrisonburg
7
0.022
0.008
0.014
VA: Lynchburg
6
0.044
0.014
0.021
VA: Richmond
5
0.021
0.004
0.013
VA: Virginia Beach
7
0.032
0.005
0.011
VT: Burlington
9
0.012
0.002
0.007
WA: Olympia
8
0.036
0.001
0.006
WA: Richland
7
0.008
0.002
0.005
WA: Seattle
4
0.002
0.001
0.001
WA: Spokane
8
0.024
0.001
0.006
WI: Madison
8
0.035
0.006
0.016
WI: Milwaukee
4
0.027
0.004
0.017
WI: Shawano
8
0.034
0.008
0.017
WV: Charleston
6
0.021
0.010
0.015
13
-------
Table 5
Specific Gamma in Precipitation
October 2012
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ±
2 M
AL: Montgomery/408
Be-7
9.9
8.9
AR: Little Rock
ND
CA: Richmond
K-40
16
11
CO: Denver
Be-7
38
12
CT: Hartford
ND
FL: Jacksonville
Be-7
46
18
GA: Atlanta
Be-7
30
17
HI: Honolulu
ND
KS: Kansas City
ND
MA: Boston
Be-7
107
26
MI: Lansing
ND
MN: St. Paul
ND
NC: Charlotte
Be-7
29
15
NC: Wilmington
ND
NH: Concord
ND
NY: Albany
ND
NY: Yap hank
ND
OH: Painesville
ND
OR: Portland
ND
PA: Harrisburg
Be-7
18.7
9.1
TN: Knoxville
ND
TN: Nashville
Be-7
25
12
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Be-7
42
12
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
ND
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
Be-7
32
11
UT: Salt Lake City
ND
VA: Lynchburg
ND
WA: Olympia
ND
14
-------
Table 6
Specific Gamma in Precipitation
November 2012
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ±
2 M
AL: Montgomery/408
Be-7
28
18
AR: Little Rock
ND
CA: Richmond
ND
CO: Denver
Be-7
38
17
CT: Hartford
Be-7
33
19
FL: Jacksonville
ND
GA: Atlanta
ND
HI: Honolulu
Be-7
45
23
ID: Idaho Falls
ND
KS: Kansas City
ND
MA: Boston
Be-7
81
23
MI: Lansing
ND
MN: St. Paul
Be-7
29
17
MN: Welch/510
ND
NC: Charlotte
ND
NC: Wilmington
ND
NY: Albany
ND
NY: Yap hank
ND
OH: Painesville
Be-7
58
25
OR: Portland
ND
PA: Harrisburg
Be-7
27
17
TN: Knoxville
ND
TN: Nashville
ND
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Be-7
45
19
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
41
12
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
Be-7
20
18
UT: Salt Lake City
ND
VA: Lynchburg
K-40
21
13
WA: Olympia
ND
15
-------
Table 7
Specific Gamma in Precipitation
December 2012
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ± 2m
AL: Montgomery/408
Be-7
21
14
AZ: Phoenix
ND
CA: Richmond
ND
CO: Denver
ND
CT: Hartford
Be-7
62
20
FL: Jacksonville
ND
HI: Honolulu
ND
ID: Idaho Falls
ND
KS: Kansas City
ND
MA: Boston
Be-7
70
22
K-40
9.2
8.8
MI: Lansing
Be-7
23
19
MN: St. Paul
ND
MN: Welch/510
ND
NC: Charlotte
ND
NC: Wilmington
Be-7
35
17
NY: Albany
K-40
12
11
NY: Yap hank
ND
OR: Portland
ND
PA: Harrisburg
ND
TN: Knoxville
ND
TN: Nashville
Be-7
39
17
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Be-7
25
18
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
34
18
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
Be-7
33
12
UT: Salt Lake City
ND
VA: Lynchburg
ND
WA: Olympia
ND
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
-------
This page intentionally left blank
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
October-December 2012
Date
3H
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2u
AK: Fairbanks
10/22/12
149 94
AL: Dothan
10/02/12
-49 77
AL: Muscle Shoals
10/11/12
570 110
AL: Scottsboro
10/10/12
295 99
AR: Little Rock
10/03/12
58 82
CA: Richmond
10/02/12
-46 81
CO: Denver
10/09/12
21 88
CT: Hartford
10/01/12
-56 81
FL: Tampa
10/02/12
-103 84
GA: Baxley
10/09/12
-78 81
GA: Savannah
10/15/12
37 89
HI: Honolulu
12/07/12
14 80
IA: Cedar Rapids
11/01/12
-50 77
ID: Boise
10/05/12
-76 77
ID: Idaho Falls
10/04/12
-50 81
IL: Morris
12/03/12
00
r-
1
IL: W. Chicago
10/15/12
47 81
LA: New Orleans
10/04/12
9 84
MD: Baltimore
10/01/12
-67 81
MD: Conowingo
10/02/12
-25 87
MI: Detroit
11/07/12
82 91
MI: Detroit
11/26/12
50 86
MN: St. Paul
10/02/12
-86 79
MN: Welch
10/02/12
-106 80
MO: Jefferson City
10/04/12
00
1
MS: Jackson
10/23/12
-52 77
MS: Port Gibson
10/23/12
-56 85
MT: Helena
10/10/12
00
"¦t
1
ND: Bismarck
10/02/12
-83 79
NE: Lincoln
10/03/12
-107 80
NJ: Trenton
11/28/12
-32 82
NJ: Waretown
11/27/12
-53 77
NY: Albany
12/17/12
-27 85
NY: New York City
10/10/12
-54 85
NY: Niagara Falls
10/30/12
6 88
OH: Cincinnati
10/02/12
-116 79
OH: Columbus
10/30/12
2 80
OH: E. Liverpool
12/05/12
4 79
OH: Painesville
11/15/12
61 86
OR: Portland
12/28/12
-53 76
20
-------
Table 8 (continued)
Tritium in Drinking Water
October-December 2012
Date
3H
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2u
PA: Columbia
10/05/12
15 89
PA: Harrisburg
10/04/12
o
00
o
00
1
PA: Philadelphia/Baxter
10/17/12
12 88
PA: Philadelphia/Belmont
10/17/12
-8 87
PA: Philadelphia/Queen
10/17/12
"¦t
00
1
PA: Pittsburgh
12/05/12
-23 78
RI: Providence
10/02/12
-47 82
SC: Barnwell
10/10/12
-21 87
SC: Columbia
10/17/12
21 88
SC: Jenkinsville
10/11/12
21 88
SC: Seneca
10/08/12
25 88
TN: Knoxville
10/04/12
-29 87
TN: Oak Ridge/#360
10/02/12
-65 77
TN: OakRidge/#371
10/02/12
9 84
TN: Oak Ridge/#4442
10/02/12
-81 80
TN: Oak Ridge/#768
10/02/12
-91 80
TN: Oak Ridge/#772
10/02/12
00
00
"3-
1
VA: Ashland
11/13/12
1900 170
VA: Lynchburg
10/03/12
-21 87
WA: Richland
10/16/12
70 90
WI: Madison
10/03/12
-40 85
21
-------
Table 9
Iodine-131 in Drinking Water
January-December 2012
Date
131 j
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2 u
AK: Fairbanks
04/03/12
0.12 0.20
AL: Dothan
04/10/12
0.12 0.15
AL: Montgomery
01/30/12
-0.04 0.12
AL: Muscle Shoals
01/12/12
0.07 0.16
AL: Scottsboro
01/11/12
0.07 0.15
AR: Little Rock
01/06/12
0.14 0.15
CA: Los Angeles
08/14/12
0.28 0.40
CA: Richmond
01/06/12
0.11 0.30
CO: Denver
01/06/12
0.09 0.18
DE: Dover
05/08/12
-0.03 0.12
FL: Tampa
10/02/12
0.20 0.37
GA: Baxley
08/02/12
0.33 0.31
GA: Savannah
10/15/12
-0.02 0.24
HI: Honolulu
12/07/12
0.2 1.6
IA: Cedar Rapids
05/30/12
0.31 0.32
IA: Cedar Rapids
08/01/12
0.07 0.17
ID: Boise
04/04/12
0.05 0.18
ID: Idaho Falls
01/06/12
0.02 0.15
IL: Morris
03/20/12
0.37 0.34
IL: W. Chicago
10/15/12
0.23 0.19
KS: Topeka
01/26/12
-0.02 0.17
LA: New Orleans
03/29/12
0.17 0.26
MD: Baltimore
01/09/12
0.04 0.12
MD: Baltimore
04/02/12
0.16 0.32
MD: Conowingo
04/17/12
-0.06 0.26
MI: Detroit
04/10/12
0.14 0.18
MN: St. Paul
01/10/12
0.13 0.20
MN: St. Paul
04/03/12
0.34 0.46
MN: Welch
01/10/12
0.16 0.18
MN: Welch
10/02/12
0.04 0.17
MO: Jefferson City
01/06/12
0.05 0.13
MS: Jackson
01/11/12
0.03 0.16
MS: Port Gibson
01/11/12
0.01 0.16
MT: Helena
10/10/12
0.16 0.19
ND: Bismarck
10/02/12
0.04 0.35
NE: Lincoln
01/12/12
0.08 0.14
NJ: Trenton
04/10/12
0.28 0.18
NJ: Waretown
09/04/12
0.00 0.28
NM: Santa Fe
05/11/12
0.159 0.099
NY: Albany
01/26/12
-0.05 0.17
NY: New York City
01/09/12
0.06 0.12
22
-------
Table 9 (continued)
Iodine-131 in Drinking Water
January-December 2012
Date
131 j
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2 u
NY: New York City
10/10/12
-0.03 0.17
NY: Niagara Falls
10/30/12
-0.21 0.36
NY: Syracuse
05/07/12
0.10 0.24
OH: Cincinnati
10/02/12
-0.09 0.20
OH: Columbus
02/03/12
0.13 0.11
OH: E. Liverpool
02/01/12
0.08 0.26
OH: Painesville
07/19/12
0.07 0.36
OH: Toledo
02/08/12
0.38 0.32
OR: Portland
12/28/12
-0.01 0.18
PA: Columbia
04/10/12
0.18 0.18
PA: Harrisburg
04/04/12
0.26 0.19
PA: Philadelphia/Baxter
05/23/12
-0.01 0.29
PA: Philadelphia/Baxter
07/18/12
0.62 0.22
PA: Philadelphia/Baxter
10/17/12
0.74 0.41
PA: Philadelphia/Belmont
05/23/12
0.37 0.28
PA: Philadelphia/Belmont
07/18/12
2.83 0.41
PA: Philadelphia/Belmont
10/17/12
5.46 0.75
PA: Philadelphia/Queen
05/23/12
0.13 0.34
PA: Philadelphia/Queen
07/18/12
3.65 0.45
PA: Philadelphia/Queen
10/17/12
3.28 0.52
PA: Pittsburgh
12/05/12
0.79 0.33
RI: Providence
10/02/12
0.02 0.20
SC: Barnwell
01/25/12
0.29 0.32
SC: Columbia
01/17/12
-0.04 0.15
SC: Jenkinsville
10/11/12
-0.15 0.63
SC: Seneca *
10/08/12
2.2 1.9
TN: Chattanooga
05/18/12
0.06 0.25
TN: Knoxville
10/04/12
0.14 0.29
TN: Oak Ridge/#360
10/02/12
0.13 0.23
TN: OakRidge/#371
10/02/12
0.08 0.19
TN: Oak Ridge/#4442
10/02/12
0.15 0.19
TN: Oak Ridge/#768
10/02/12
0.00 0.19
TN: Oak Ridge/#772
10/02/12
0.07 0.41
TX: Austin
01/26/12
0.10 0.25
VA: Ashland
11/13/12
0.14 0.16
VA: Lynchburg
10/03/12
0.17 0.33
WA: Richland
01/10/12
0.21 0.36
WI: Madison
10/03/12
0.50 0.37
*The sample from Seneca, SC, was received at NAREL 15 days after collection. The measurement uncertainty for this
sample is large because of the longer-than-usual decay time.
23
-------
This page intentionally left blank
24
-------
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.
25
-------
Table 10
Radionuclides in Pasteurized Milk
October-December 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
12/13/12
1.59 0.18
ND
ND
ND
AZ: Phoenix
12/19/12
1.70 0.19
ND
ND
ND
CA: Los Angeles
12/18/12
1.66 0.20
ND
ND
ND
CA: San Francisco
10/17/12
1.88 0.22
ND
ND
ND
CT: Hartford
11/19/12
1.72 0.21
ND
ND
ND
DE: Wilmington
10/15/12
1.61 0.20
ND
ND
ND
FL: Plant City
10/16/12
1.66 0.19
ND
ND
ND
HI: Hilo
10/22/12
1.71 0.20
ND
ND
ND
IA: Des Moines
10/22/12
1.63 0.19
ND
ND
ND
KS: Wichita
12/05/12
1.68 0.20
ND
ND
ND
KY: Louisville
10/03/12
1.70 0.20
ND
ND
ND
MA: Boston
12/20/12
1.62 0.20
ND
ND
ND
MD: Baltimore
10/16/12
1.62 0.19
ND
ND
ND
MI: Detroit
10/29/12
1.76 0.20
ND
ND
ND
NJ: Trenton
10/09/12
1.73 0.20
ND
ND
ND
NV: Las Vegas
11/26/12
1.72 0.20
ND
ND
ND
NV: Reno
11/13/12
1.66 0.20
ND
ND
ND
NY: Buffalo
10/29/12
1.64 0.19
ND
ND
ND
NY: Syracuse
11/02/12
1.61 0.20
ND
ND
ND
OH: Cincinnati
12/03/12
1.68 0.19
ND
ND
ND
OR: Portland
12/10/12
1.68 0.20
ND
ND
ND
PA: Pittsburgh
10/16/12
1.57 0.19
ND
ND
ND
TN: Chattanooga
10/03/12
1.68 0.19
ND
ND
ND
TN: Knoxville
10/03/12
1.58 0.19
ND
ND
ND
TN: Memphis
10/15/12
1.62 0.19
ND
ND
ND
TX: Dallas
10/22/12
1.70 0.20
ND
ND
ND
VT: Montpelier
10/22/12
1.70 0.21
ND
ND
ND
WA: Spokane
10/30/12
1.66 0.19
ND
ND
ND
WA: Tacoma
12/17/12
1.63 0.19
ND
ND
ND
WV: Charleston
10/03/12
1.60 0.18
ND
ND
ND
Note: ND = Not detected
NR = No result (not analyzed within 5 half-lives of collection)
26
-------
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
***
27
-------
This page intentionally left blank
28
------- |