Environmental
Radiation
Data
REPORT 161
January-March 2015
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
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 2015 2
3 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: February 2015 6
4 Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates: March 2015 10
5 Gamma-Emitters in Precipitation: January 2015 14
6 Gamma-Emitters in Precipitation: February 2015 15
7 Gamma-Emitters in Precipitation: March 2015 16
8 Tritium in Drinking Water: January-March 2015 20
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 electronic format, which is 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, and drinking water 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, and radium, and for tritium. This monitoring effort also provides
information on natural background levels and possible 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 valuey 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 + C/ is 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
0.0006
Water
pCi/L
2
Tritium
Water
pCi/L
150
* Plutonium-23 8,23 9/240
Air
aCi/m3
6
Water
pCi/L
0.3
f Uranium-234,238
Air
aCi/m3
7.5
Water
pCi/L
0.35
f Uranium-235
Air
aCi/m3
9
Water
pCi/L
0.4
Radium-226
Water
pCi/L
0.02
Strontium-90
Water
pCi/L
1
t Iodine-131
Water (gamma)
pCi/L
4
Water
pCi/L
0.3
Cesium-137
Water
pCi/L
5
{ Barium-140
Water
pCi/L
15
Potassium-40
Water
pCi/L
50
* The MDC for air is based on an assumed total sample volume of 10,000 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 MDCs for air are based on an assumed total sample volume of 10,000 m3.
} Activity as of the day of counting.
Xlll
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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 the exposed
filters are sent to NAREL for 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.
1
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Table 2
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
4
0.011
0.002
0.006
AK: Fairbanks
8
0.018
0.005
0.010
AK: Juneau
4
0.006
0.000
0.004
AL: Birmingham
9
0.013
0.006
0.010
AL: Montgomery/408
8
0.012
0.003
0.008
AR: Fort Smith
4
0.012
0.006
0.010
AR: Little Rock
6
0.016
0.005
0.010
AZ: Phoenix/956
8
0.025
0.007
0.015
AZ: Tucson
7
0.020
0.006
0.015
CA: Anaheim
8
0.022
0.006
0.014
CA: Bakersfield
2
0.061
0.038
0.049
CA: Eureka
4
0.007
0.002
0.004
CA: Fresno
4
0.053
0.008
0.029
CA: Los Angeles
4
0.020
0.007
0.013
CA: Richmond
3
0.024
0.020
0.022
CA: Riverside
6
0.021
0.008
0.014
CA: Sacramento
9
0.030
0.013
0.023
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
7
0.024
0.008
0.016
CA: San Diego
2
0.021
0.012
0.016
CA: San Francisco
9
0.034
0.008
0.022
CA: San Jose
5
0.032
0.013
0.020
CO: Colorado Springs
3
0.013
0.009
0.011
CO: Denver
8
0.023
0.004
0.010
CO: Grand Junction
2
0.049
0.031
0.040
CT: Hartford
8
0.009
0.005
0.008
DC: Washington
7
0.010
0.005
0.008
DE: Dover
4
0.008
0.007
0.007
FL: Jacksonville
8
0.009
0.005
0.007
FL: Orlando
7
0.007
0.004
0.006
FL: Tallahassee
3
0.010
0.005
0.007
FL: Tampa
6
0.007
0.003
0.006
GA: Atlanta
4
0.009
0.005
0.008
GA: Augusta
3
0.008
0.006
0.007
HI: Honolulu
9
0.005
0.001
0.004
IA: Des Moines
9
0.018
0.005
0.009
IA: Mason City
4
0.013
0.006
0.009
ID: Boise
5
0.045
0.010
0.031
ID: Idaho Falls
9
0.053
0.008
0.020
2
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
IL: Aurora
3
0.015
0.008
0.011
IL: Champaign
9
0.011
0.007
0.009
IL: Chicago
6
0.012
0.008
0.010
IN: Fort Wayne
3
0.013
0.010
0.012
IN: Indianapolis
8
0.011
0.006
0.009
KS: Kansas City
7
0.014
0.005
0.010
KS: Wichita
6
0.018
0.005
0.011
KY: Lexington
6
0.014
0.007
0.011
KY: Louisville
5
0.013
0.011
0.012
KY: Paducah
8
0.016
0.007
0.012
LA: Baton Rouge
7
0.013
0.006
0.010
LA: Shreveport
3
0.012
0.007
0.010
MA: Boston
5
0.010
0.004
0.008
MA: Worcester
9
0.013
0.006
0.009
MD: Baltimore
2
0.009
0.008
0.008
ME: Portland
9
0.008
0.004
0.006
MI: Bay City 48708
8
0.014
0.009
0.011
MI: Detroit
7
0.014
0.009
0.011
MI: Grand Rapids
4
0.013
0.008
0.010
MN: Duluth
8
0.017
0.005
0.010
MN: St. Paul
4
0.021
0.013
0.018
MO: Jefferson City
8
0.012
0.006
0.009
MO: Springfield
8
0.017
0.004
0.011
MO: St. Louis
3
0.009
0.006
0.008
MS: Jackson/Deq
4
0.013
0.006
0.011
MT: Billings
2
0.039
0.004
0.021
NC: Charlotte
2
0.015
0.013
0.014
NC: Greensboro
2
0.008
0.007
0.008
NC: Raleigh
4
0.007
0.005
0.006
NC: Wilmington
4
0.006
0.003
0.004
ND: Bismarck
4
0.012
0.004
0.008
NE: Kearney
8
0.013
0.003
0.008
NE: Lincoln
9
0.018
0.005
0.010
NE: Omaha
2
0.016
0.008
0.012
NH: Concord
7
0.010
0.006
0.008
NJ: Edison
4
0.008
0.007
0.008
NM: Albuquerque
2
0.035
0.018
0.026
NM: Carlsbad
7
0.020
0.004
0.008
3
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
3
0.020
0.009
0.015
NV: Las Vegas/913
1
0.006
0.006
0.006
NY: Albany
4
0.012
0.007
0.009
NY: Lockport
8
0.015
0.006
0.010
NY: New York City
4
0.012
0.009
0.010
NY: Rochester
7
0.012
0.007
0.010
NY: Syracuse
1
0.006
0.006
0.006
NY: Yaphank
5
0.008
0.005
0.006
OH: Cincinnati
8
0.011
0.008
0.010
OH: Cleveland
7
0.022
0.008
0.014
OH: Toledo
4
0.011
0.008
0.010
OK: Oklahoma City
8
0.018
0.004
0.011
OK: Tulsa
9
0.017
0.004
0.010
OR: Corvallis
9
0.009
0.002
0.006
OR: Portland
9
0.014
0.003
0.006
PA: Bloomsburg
6
0.008
0.004
0.007
PA: Philadelphia
4
0.011
0.007
0.009
PA: Pittsburgh
4
0.011
0.009
0.010
PR: San Juan
8
0.003
0.001
0.002
RI: Providence
4
0.010
0.006
0.008
SC: Columbia
9
0.012
0.006
0.010
SD: Pierre
9
0.012
0.003
0.008
SD: Rapid City
8
0.016
0.003
0.008
TN: Knoxville
3
0.015
0.008
0.011
TN: Memphis
8
0.012
0.006
0.009
TN: Nashville
8
0.014
0.003
0.009
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
7
0.016
0.004
0.011
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
7
0.016
0.009
0.013
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
7
0.014
0.007
0.011
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
7
0.013
0.008
0.011
TN: Oak Ridge12 W
7
0.014
0.008
0.012
TX: Amarillo
6
0.027
0.006
0.014
TX: Austin
2
0.013
0.013
0.013
TX: Dallas
1
0.013
0.013
0.013
TX: El Paso
6
0.021
0.007
0.014
TX: Ft. Worth
2
0.013
0.010
0.011
TX: Harlingen
4
0.017
0.008
0.011
TX: Houston
8
0.019
0.005
0.011
4
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Table 2 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
January 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Laredo
7
0.024
0.002
0.013
TX: Lubbock
7
0.023
0.005
0.011
TX: San Angelo
3
0.020
0.008
0.012
TX: San Antonio
9
0.018
0.003
0.010
UT: Salt Lake City
7
0.037
0.008
0.017
VA: Harrisonburg
3
0.011
0.007
0.008
VA: Richmond
4
0.008
0.006
0.007
VA: Virginia Beach
6
0.012
0.008
0.010
VT: Burlington
9
0.018
0.007
0.011
WA: Olympia
8
0.008
0.001
0.005
WA: Richland
8
0.024
0.005
0.014
WA: Seattle
4
0.009
0.002
0.005
WI: Lacrosse
5
0.013
0.007
0.010
WI: Madison
6
0.022
0.010
0.014
WI: Milwaukee
4
0.013
0.010
0.012
WI: Shawano
9
0.015
0.007
0.011
WV: Charleston
5
0.017
0.012
0.015
WY: Casper
4
0.016
0.004
0.010
5
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Table 3
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
1
0.008
0.008
0.008
AK: Fairbanks
8
0.022
0.004
0.012
AK: Juneau
3
0.015
0.001
0.006
AL: Birmingham
8
0.019
0.006
0.012
AL: Montgomery/408
8
0.018
0.005
0.010
AR: Fort Smith
4
0.015
0.012
0.014
AR: Little Rock
5
0.014
0.009
0.012
AZ: Phoenix/956
5
0.017
0.007
0.013
AZ: Tucson
8
0.013
0.003
0.009
CA: Anaheim
8
0.037
0.006
0.019
CA: Bakersfield
2
0.041
0.025
0.033
CA: Eureka
4
0.007
0.003
0.004
CA: Fresno
3
0.036
0.006
0.020
CA: Los Angeles
4
0.026
0.012
0.019
CA: Richmond
4
0.019
0.010
0.013
CA: Riverside
8
0.031
0.004
0.016
CA: Sacramento
8
0.030
0.009
0.016
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
8
0.035
0.006
0.019
CA: San Diego
3
0.032
0.022
0.026
CA: San Francisco
8
0.023
0.003
0.012
CA: San Jose
4
0.019
0.003
0.010
CO: Colorado Springs
2
0.008
0.007
0.007
CO: Denver
8
0.011
0.004
0.006
CO: Grand Junction
2
0.021
0.011
0.016
CT: Hartford
6
0.014
0.008
0.011
DC: Washington
7
0.014
0.006
0.010
DE: Dover
2
0.009
0.004
0.007
FL: Jacksonville
7
0.011
0.003
0.007
FL: Orlando
7
0.007
0.005
0.006
FL: Tallahassee
3
0.009
0.005
0.007
FL: Tampa
8
0.010
0.005
0.007
GA: Atlanta
2
0.011
0.010
0.011
GA: Augusta
4
0.008
0.007
0.008
HI: Honolulu
8
0.005
0.003
0.004
IA: Des Moines
4
0.015
0.007
0.011
IA: Mason City
6
0.024
0.013
0.017
ID: Boise
4
0.015
0.002
0.008
ID: Idaho Falls
8
0.023
0.003
0.009
6
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Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
IL: Aurora
1
0.016
0.016
0.016
IL: Champaign
8
0.017
0.008
0.013
IL: Chicago
4
0.019
0.008
0.013
IN: Fort Wayne
1
0.007
0.007
0.007
IN: Indianapolis
8
0.023
0.008
0.014
KS: Kansas City
5
0.021
0.013
0.016
KS: Wichita
8
0.017
0.007
0.012
KY: Lexington
4
0.020
0.006
0.012
KY: Louisville
4
0.018
0.007
0.014
KY: Paducah
6
0.024
0.008
0.015
LA: Baton Rouge
7
0.017
0.006
0.011
LA: Shreveport
2
0.013
0.008
0.011
MA: Boston
1
0.009
0.009
0.009
MA: Worcester
8
0.016
0.009
0.012
MD: Baltimore
5
0.015
0.007
0.011
ME: Orono
1
0.014
0.014
0.014
ME: Portland
6
0.012
0.006
0.009
MI: Bay City 48708
8
0.024
0.003
0.014
MI: Detroit
7
0.021
0.010
0.014
MI: Grand Rapids
4
0.024
0.010
0.015
MN: Duluth
7
0.022
0.006
0.013
MN: St. Paul
3
0.024
0.013
0.019
MO: Jefferson City
4
0.018
0.010
0.014
MO: Springfield
8
0.019
0.010
0.015
MO: St. Louis
4
0.016
0.007
0.011
MS: Jackson/Deq
4
0.012
0.008
0.010
MT: Billings
3
0.013
0.008
0.011
NC: Charlotte
6
0.028
0.013
0.019
NC: Greensboro
2
0.008
0.005
0.007
NC: Raleigh
5
0.013
0.004
0.007
NC: Wilmington
4
0.007
0.003
0.005
ND: Bismarck
5
0.018
0.010
0.016
NE: Kearney
8
0.014
0.005
0.010
NE: Lincoln
6
0.018
0.008
0.013
NE: Omaha
3
0.020
0.010
0.015
NH: Concord
8
0.015
0.007
0.011
NJ: Edison
3
0.014
0.006
0.010
NM: Carlsbad
6
0.013
0.007
0.009
7
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Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
4
0.007
0.005
0.006
NV: Las Vegas/913
9
0.014
0.003
0.007
NV: Reno
8
0.016
0.003
0.009
NY: Albany
4
0.017
0.009
0.013
NY: Lockport
7
0.020
0.009
0.015
NY: New York City
4
0.018
0.009
0.012
NY: Rochester
6
0.016
0.008
0.013
NY: Syracuse
1
0.009
0.009
0.009
NY: Yaphank
3
0.011
0.005
0.008
OH: Cincinnati
5
0.014
0.006
0.010
OH: Cleveland
8
0.027
0.011
0.017
OH: Toledo
1
0.009
0.009
0.009
OK: Oklahoma City
8
0.020
0.008
0.014
OK: Tulsa
8
0.019
0.010
0.014
OR: Corvallis
8
0.007
0.001
0.004
OR: Portland
7
0.005
0.001
0.003
PA: Bloomsburg
6
0.010
0.005
0.008
PA: Philadelphia
4
0.014
0.006
0.010
PA: Pittsburgh
5
0.015
0.007
0.012
PR: San Juan
7
0.004
0.001
0.002
RI: Providence
4
0.013
0.008
0.011
SC: Columbia
6
0.014
0.006
0.011
SD: Pierre
8
0.018
0.009
0.013
SD: Rapid City
4
0.017
0.006
0.010
TN: Knoxville
2
0.011
0.007
0.009
TN: Memphis
6
0.020
0.007
0.013
TN: Nashville
7
0.016
0.007
0.012
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
5
0.029
0.007
0.015
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
5
0.018
0.007
0.012
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
5
0.014
0.007
0.010
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
5
0.018
0.008
0.012
TN: Oak Ridge12 W
5
0.019
0.007
0.013
TX: Amarillo
7
0.014
0.008
0.011
TX: Austin
3
0.017
0.009
0.014
TX: El Paso
5
0.013
0.005
0.009
TX: Ft. Worth
2
0.011
0.011
0.011
TX: Harlingen
3
0.016
0.008
0.011
TX: Houston
5
0.011
0.006
0.009
8
-------
Table 3 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
February 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Laredo
7
0.013
0.007
0.009
TX: Lubbock
7
0.013
0.007
0.009
TX: San Angelo
7
0.017
0.010
0.013
TX: San Antonio
7
0.012
0.006
0.008
UT: Salt Lake City
7
0.015
0.003
0.007
UT: St. George
2
0.013
0.009
0.011
VA: Harrisonburg
5
0.014
0.005
0.009
VA: Richmond
4
0.014
0.006
0.010
VA: Virginia Beach
6
0.017
0.006
0.010
VT: Burlington
7
0.018
0.013
0.015
WA: Olympia
8
0.004
0.000
0.002
WA: Richland
6
0.010
0.003
0.006
WA: Seattle
4
0.005
0.001
0.003
WA: Spokane
6
0.010
0.002
0.007
WI: Lacrosse
2
0.018
0.012
0.015
WI: Madison
3
0.035
0.013
0.021
WI: Milwaukee
5
0.024
0.009
0.017
WI: Shawano
7
0.026
0.008
0.014
WV: Charleston
4
0.022
0.009
0.016
WY: Casper
3
0.008
0.004
0.007
9
-------
Table 4
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
AK: Anchorage
1
0.010
0.010
0.010
AK: Fairbanks
9
0.012
0.004
0.008
AK: Juneau
5
0.005
0.002
0.003
AL: Birmingham
9
0.012
0.004
0.008
AL: Montgomery/408
8
0.010
0.004
0.006
AR: Fort Smith
3
0.009
0.007
0.008
AR: Little Rock
7
0.011
0.003
0.008
AZ: Phoenix/956
9
0.019
0.006
0.011
AZ: Tucson
9
0.018
0.004
0.011
CA: Anaheim
9
0.018
0.002
0.009
CA: Bakersfield
3
0.014
0.008
0.011
CA: Eureka
4
0.007
0.002
0.004
CA: Fresno
5
0.016
0.005
0.011
CA: Los Angeles
6
0.017
0.003
0.010
CA: Richmond
4
0.012
0.004
0.007
CA: Riverside
8
0.018
0.003
0.010
CA: Sacramento
8
0.018
0.003
0.008
CA: San Bernardino Cty.
7
0.021
0.004
0.013
CA: San Diego
2
0.012
0.008
0.010
CA: San Francisco
9
0.018
0.002
0.007
CA: San Jose
1
0.003
0.003
0.003
CO: Colorado Springs
1
0.014
0.014
0.014
CO: Denver
8
0.015
0.005
0.010
CO: Grand Junction
4
0.020
0.010
0.014
CT: Hartford
8
0.010
0.004
0.007
DC: Washington
8
0.010
0.005
0.008
DE: Dover
4
0.007
0.004
0.005
FL: Jacksonville
7
0.012
0.003
0.007
FL: Miami
1
0.005
0.005
0.005
FL: Orlando
8
0.007
0.002
0.004
FL: Tallahassee
2
0.005
0.004
0.004
FL: Tampa
9
0.011
0.003
0.006
GA: Atlanta
4
0.013
0.005
0.008
GA: Augusta
5
0.007
0.004
0.005
HI: Honolulu
9
0.007
0.002
0.004
IA: Des Moines
8
0.009
0.006
0.007
IA: Mason City
6
0.017
0.007
0.010
ID: Boise
2
0.008
0.004
0.006
10
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
ID: Idaho Falls
6
0.013
0.010
0.011
IL: Champaign
9
0.012
0.006
0.008
IL: Chicago
8
0.011
0.006
0.008
IN: Fort Wayne
2
0.010
0.008
0.009
IN: Indianapolis
9
0.012
0.005
0.009
KS: Kansas City
8
0.017
0.007
0.011
KS: Wichita
8
0.015
0.008
0.011
KY: Lexington
7
0.009
0.006
0.008
KY: Louisville
4
0.013
0.007
0.010
KY: Paducah
9
0.017
0.006
0.010
LA: Baton Rouge
8
0.010
0.004
0.006
LA: Shreveport
2
0.006
0.005
0.005
MA: Boston
6
0.008
0.003
0.006
MA: Worcester
3
0.015
0.007
0.012
MD: Baltimore
6
0.014
0.006
0.010
ME: Portland
7
0.010
0.003
0.007
MI: Bay City 48708
9
0.015
0.006
0.010
MI: Detroit
9
0.015
0.006
0.009
MI: Grand Rapids
4
0.012
0.009
0.010
MN: Duluth
8
0.010
0.003
0.006
MN: St. Paul
2
0.013
0.012
0.013
MO: Jefferson City
6
0.017
0.007
0.011
MO: Springfield
9
0.013
0.009
0.011
MO: St. Louis
4
0.011
0.008
0.009
MS: Jackson/Deq
4
0.012
0.003
0.007
MT: Billings
3
0.011
0.005
0.008
NC: Charlotte
2
0.013
0.007
0.010
NC: Greensboro
1
0.006
0.006
0.006
NC: Raleigh
3
0.006
0.004
0.005
NC: Wilmington
4
0.005
0.003
0.004
ND: Bismarck
7
0.012
0.006
0.009
NE: Kearney
7
0.011
0.005
0.008
NE: Lincoln
9
0.010
0.006
0.008
NE: Omaha
2
0.010
0.010
0.010
NH: Concord
9
0.011
0.005
0.007
NJ: Edison
5
0.011
0.005
0.008
NM: Albuquerque
1
0.012
0.012
0.012
NM: Carlsbad
6
0.010
0.004
0.008
11
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
NM: Navajo Lake St Park
4
0.011
0.006
0.008
NV: Las Vegas/913
9
0.010
0.003
0.007
NV: Reno
9
0.021
0.001
0.011
NY: Albany
6
0.011
0.006
0.008
NY: Lockport
8
0.015
0.006
0.009
NY: New York City
4
0.013
0.007
0.010
NY: Rochester
8
0.013
0.005
0.008
NY: Syracuse
1
0.005
0.005
0.005
NY: Yaphank
6
0.007
0.004
0.005
OH: Cincinnati
3
0.009
0.005
0.007
OH: Cleveland
10
0.017
0.007
0.011
OH: Toledo
1
0.005
0.005
0.005
OK: Oklahoma City
9
0.014
0.009
0.011
OK: Tulsa
9
0.011
0.008
0.010
OR: Corvallis
9
0.006
0.002
0.004
OR: Portland
9
0.007
0.002
0.004
PA: Bloomsburg
7
0.008
0.004
0.006
PA: Philadelphia
4
0.011
0.005
0.009
PA: Pittsburgh
5
0.012
0.008
0.009
PR: San Juan
9
0.005
0.001
0.003
RI: Providence
2
0.009
0.007
0.008
SC: Columbia
8
0.012
0.005
0.007
SD: Pierre
8
0.008
0.005
0.007
SD: Rapid City
5
0.011
0.006
0.008
TN: Knoxville
2
0.010
0.008
0.009
TN: Memphis
9
0.013
0.006
0.009
TN: Nashville
8
0.010
0.005
0.007
TN: Oak Ridge/Bethel
8
0.018
0.006
0.009
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
4
0.019
0.008
0.011
TN: Oak Ridgc/Y12 E
8
0.017
0.005
0.009
TN: Oak Ridge12 W
8
0.017
0.008
0.010
TX: Amarillo
6
0.019
0.007
0.012
TX: Austin
3
0.012
0.007
0.009
TX: Dallas
4
0.012
0.004
0.009
TX: El Paso
7
0.011
0.004
0.007
TX: Ft. Worth
3
0.008
0.006
0.007
TX: Harlingen
5
0.010
0.006
0.008
TX: Houston
9
0.011
0.002
0.006
12
-------
Table 4 (continued)
Gross Beta in Airborne Particulates
March 2015
NAREL Lab
Number
Measurement
of
Max
Min
Avj?
Location
Samples
(pCi/m3)
TX: Laredo
7
0.009
0.006
0.007
TX: Lubbock
7
0.013
0.007
0.009
TX: San Angelo
7
0.014
0.009
0.012
TX: San Antonio
9
0.008
0.004
0.006
UT: Salt Lake City
9
0.010
0.002
0.008
VA: Harrisonburg
8
0.017
0.005
0.009
VA: Richmond
4
0.009
0.006
0.007
VA: Virginia Beach
7
0.012
0.006
0.009
VT: Burlington
9
0.015
0.005
0.008
WA: Olympia
9
0.007
0.002
0.004
WA: Richland
7
0.013
0.002
0.006
WA: Seattle
4
0.008
0.003
0.005
WA: Spokane
9
0.012
0.003
0.007
WI: Lacrosse
2
0.012
0.006
0.009
WI: Madison
9
0.017
0.009
0.012
WI: Milwaukee
1
0.008
0.008
0.008
WI: Shawano
9
0.014
0.005
0.008
WV: Charleston
4
0.017
0.009
0.011
WY: Casper
4
0.010
0.004
0.008
13
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Table 5
Gamma-Emitters in Precipitation
January 2015
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ± 2m
AL: Montgomery/408
ND
AR: Little Rock
Be-7
27
18
AZ: Phoenix
Be-7
25
18
CT: Hartford
Be-7
50
20
FL: Jacksonville
Be-7
35
16
GA: Atlanta
Be-7
31
15
HI: Honolulu
ND
ID: Idaho Falls
Be-7
28
17
MA: Boston
Be-7
74
20
MN: St. Paul
Be-7
44
38
MN: Welch/510
ND
NC: Charlotte
ND
NC: Wilmington
ND
NH: Concord
ND
NY: Albany
Be-7
49
17
OR: Portland
Be-7
30
16
PA: Harrisburg
Be-7
16.7
9.4
TN: Nashville
ND
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Be-7
52
20
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
53
17
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
Be-7
37
18
TX: Austin
ND
UT: Salt Lake City
Be-7
42
22
VA: Lynchburg
ND
WA: Olympia
ND
14
-------
Table 6
Gamma-Emitters in Precipitation
February 2015
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ± 2m
AL: Montgomery/408
Be-7
36
18
AR: Little Rock
Be-7
19
18
CA: Richmond
ND
CT: Hartford
Be-7
57
22
FL: Jacksonville
Be-7
52
14
GA: Atlanta
ND
HI: Honolulu
ND
ID: Idaho Falls
ND
MN: St. Paul
ND
MN: Welch/510
Be-7
48
22
NC: Wilmington
Be-7
24
14
K-40
10.7
8.4
NY: Albany
Be-7
34
20
OR: Portland
ND
PA: Harrisburg
Be-7
51
20
K-40
18
14
TN: Nashville
Be-7
38
18
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Be-7
86
24
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
93
25
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
Be-7
80
21
UT: Salt Lake City
Be-7
76
25
VA: Lynchburg
ND
WA: Olympia
ND
15
-------
Table 7
Gamma-Emitters in Precipitation
March 2015
Location
Nuclide
pCi/L ±
2 M
AL: Montgomery/408
ND
AR: Little Rock
ND
CA: Richmond
Be-7
74
43
CT: Hartford
Be-7
29
17
FL: Jacksonville
Be-7
47
17
GA: Atlanta
ND
HI: Honolulu
ND
ID: Idaho Falls
Be-7
45
39
KS: Kansas City
ND
MA: Boston
Be-7
50
19
MN: St. Paul
ND
MN: Welch/510
ND
NC: Charlotte
Be-7
14.7
8.0
NC: Wilmington
Be-7
26.9
9.2
NH: Concord
ND
NY: Albany
Be-7
33
16
OR: Portland
Be-7
23
17
PA: Harrisburg
ND
TN: Nashville
ND
TN: Oak Ridge/K25
Be-7
62
20
TN: Oak Ridge/Melton
Be-7
63
22
TN: Oak Ridge/Y12 E
Be-7
51
20
TX: Austin
ND
UT: Salt Lake City
Be-7
31
15
VA: Lynchburg
ND
WA: Olympia
ND
16
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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 total volume of air represented by all the samples received from one
sampling location during a year typically ranges from 120,000 m3 to 500,000 m3. The
aliquot analyzed is a fraction of the total volume and is typically between 5,000 m3 and
30,000 m3.
17
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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
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Table 8
Tritium in Drinking Water
January-March 2015
Date
3H
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2u
AK: Fairbanks
01/14/15
8 63
AL: Dothan
01/09/15
44 70
AL: Montgomery
03/17/15
35 84
AL: Muscle Shoals
01/07/15
4 68
AL: Scottsboro
01/06/15
90 72
AR: Little Rock
01/14/15
4 64
CO: Denver
02/06/15
2 82
CT: Hartford
01/13/15
8 68
DE: Dover
01/29/15
123 89
FL: Miami
03/26/15
10 97
FL: Tampa
03/30/15
-64 92
GA: Baxley
03/03/15
77 87
GA: Savannah
02/18/15
89 87
HI: Honolulu
02/17/15
70 86
IA: Cedar Rapids
02/20/15
96 89
ID: Idaho Falls
02/26/15
74 86
IL: Morris
02/17/15
37 85
IL: W. Chicago
03/09/15
48 85
KS: Topeka
01/28/15
-8 62
LA: New Orleans
01/30/15
28 65
MD: Baltimore
01/13/15
-2 67
MD: Conowingo
01/13/15
58 66
MI: Detroit
01/05/15
121 74
MN: St. Paul
01/20/15
4 63
MN: Welch
01/20/15
12 63
MO: Jefferson City
01/28/15
22 64
MS: Jackson
01/27/15
-4 63
MS: Port Gibson
01/27/15
0 63
MT: Helena
01/14/15
10 62
MT: Helena
03/30/15
0 95
ND: Bismarck
02/05/15
27 84
NE: Lincoln
01/07/15
14 68
NJ: Trenton
02/04/15
31 84
NJ: Waretown
02/05/15
-12 82
NV: Las Vegas
01/15/15
48 70
NY: New York City
03/26/15
-12 94
NY: Niagara Falls
01/27/15
75 68
NY: Syracuse
03/17/15
56 98
OH: Cincinnati
01/27/15
138 91
OH: Columbus
03/05/15
37 85
20
-------
Table 8 (continued)
Tritium in Drinking Water
January-March 2015
Date
3H
Location
Collected
pCi/L ± 2u
OH: E. Liverpool
01/28/15
25 64
OH: Painesville
02/24/15
132 89
OH: Toledo
01/12/15
171 77
OK: Oklahoma City
03/24/15
52 98
PA: Harrisburg
01/14/15
47 65
PA: Pittsburgh
01/27/15
18 64
RI: Providence
01/21/15
16 64
SC: Barnwell
01/31/15
86 86
SC: Columbia
01/28/15
-10 62
SC: Jenkinsville
01/21/15
23 64
SC: Seneca
01/16/15
-12 62
TN: Knoxville
01/13/15
6 67
TN: Oak Ridge/#360
01/05/15
58 71
TN: OakRidge/#371
01/05/15
30 69
TN: Oak Ridge/#768
01/05/15
-4 67
TN: Oak Ridge/#772
01/05/15
-42 64
TX: Austin
01/14/15
-14 66
WA: Richland
02/03/15
106 89
WI: Madison
01/14/15
-39 61
21
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22
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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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