Where can I find the analytical results from drinking water samples?
All RadNet drinking water sampling results are available on the RadNet Envirofacts website. For more information, visit RadNet. Return to Frequent Questions About RadNet.
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All RadNet drinking water sampling results are available on the RadNet Envirofacts website. For more information, visit RadNet. Return to Frequent Questions About RadNet.
Samples of precipitation such as rain, snow or sleet are collected at more than 25 stations across the U.S. Samples are collected using specially designed precipitation collection devices which funnel the precipitation into a bucket for transfer to a shipping container. EPA’s National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) receives the…
The EPA’s RadNet monitoring network is designed to track fluctuations in airborne radioactive particles. RadNet does not track non-ionizing radiation that comes from power lines, transmitters, or cell phone networks like 5G.
EPA reports RadNet laboratory results in conventional units, as shown below with their international equivalents: Medium Conventional unit International SI unit Air Filter Curie (Ci) per cubic meter (m3) Becquerel (Bq) per cubic meter (m3) Precipitation and drinking water Curie (Ci) per liter (L) Becquerel (Bq) per liter (L) Results…
How often must owners or operators of stationary sources subject to the risk management program regulations perform compliance audits? The regulations at 40 CFR §§68.58(a) and 68.79(a) state that owners or operators must certify that they have evaluated compliance with the applicable prevention program provisions at least once every three…
Do owners or operators of Program 1 processes have to complete a process hazard analysis? No. The Program 1 requirements do not include a process hazard analysis (40 CFR §68.12(b)). Program 3 processes require completion of a process hazard analysis (40 CFR §68.12(d)(3)) while Program 2 processes must complete a…
The prevention program requirements under 40 CFR Part 68, Subparts C and D, include hazard reviews and process hazard analyses. Is a hazard review synonymous with a process hazard analysis (PHA)? No. A hazard review is different from a PHA. A hazard review is part of the Program 2 prevention…
Facilities subject to the Program 3 Prevention Program requirements in 40 CFR Part 68 must include in their Risk Management Plan the date of the most recent review or revision of hot work permit procedures in Section 7.13. What is considered hot work and what are the requirements related to…
The incident investigation provisions of 40 CFR Part 68 (§§68.60 and 68.81) require facilities to investigate incidents that resulted in or could reasonably have resulted in a catastrophic release. Are covered facilities required to perform incident investigations of releases resulting from theft of covered substances, such as anhydrous ammonia? If…
The EPA operates 140 radiation air monitors across the United States as part of its RadNet nationwide monitoring system. RadNet air monitors measure gamma radiation emitted from airborne radioactive particles as they collect on the monitor’s air filter. Near-real-time data are continually reviewed by computer, and if the results show…
It is very common for natural background radiation levels to change during precipitation events such as rain, sleet or snow. While there are many more factors that affect radiation levels than just precipitation, radon and radon decay products, which occur naturally may be captured in the precipitation and brought to…
More than 60 drinking water sampling locations reported results in the United States in 2018 as part of the RadNet monitoring network. Drinking water samples are typically collected four times a year from taps and are sent to the EPA’s National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) for analysis. Each of…
The EPA monitors beta particles as part of the RadNet network through routine laboratory air filter analysis. RadNet air filters are sent to the EPA’s National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) for measurement of gross beta air concentrations and further analysis if warranted. Analysis results for beta measurements on air…
RadNet operators ship air filters from the monitoring location to the EPA’s National Analytical Radiation Environmental Laboratory (NAREL) for analysis. RadNet sample analysis on air filters is conducted following a routine schedule, unless analysis is accelerated after an emergency event. All air filters go through an initial screening for beta…
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), the EPA sets legal limits on the levels of certain radionuclides in drinking water. These limits are applicable to all federal, state and local jurisdictions, including local city public works facilities. Under SDWA, the Agency established a dose-based Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for…