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 ------- |