Japanese Nuclear Emergency: Radiation Monitoring
RadNet Laboratory Data
This site contains information and data from March 11, 2011 to June 30, 2011. EPA has returned to routine RadNet operations. This site will continue to be available for historical and informative purposes.
For real-time air monitoring data, please visit the EPA RadNet website and Central Data Exchange. To view both current and historical laboratory data, please visit our Envirofacts database.
The links above provide all data. You can also view the original and additional sampling data reports published.
Historical data from EPA's RadNet system can be found on our EnviroFacts website.
Air Filter and Air Cartridge
During detailed filter analyses from several RadNet air monitor locations across the nation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) identified trace amounts of radioactive isotopes consistent with the Japanese nuclear incident. These types of findings are to be expected in the coming days and are far below levels of public health concern.
About air filter and air cartridge laboratory data
EPA tests air, milk, precipitation and drinking water samples to determine radiation levels across the United States. In the data reports below, "ND" or "Non-detect" indicates that the radionuclide in question was not detected in EPA's analysis. If a cell is blank, further analysis is pending.
Precipitation
Elevated levels of radioactive material in rainwater have been expected as a result of the Japanese nuclear incident. Since radiation is known to travel in the atmosphere - precipitation data collected in several states have shown elevated levels of radiation in recent precipitation events. In all cases, these are levels above the normal background levels historically reported in these areas. While short-term elevations such as these do not raise public health concerns and the levels seen in rainwater were expected to be relatively short in duration-U.S. EPA took steps to increase the level of monitoring of precipitation, drinking water, and other potential exposure routes to continue to verify that. After a thorough data review showing declining radiation levels in these samples, EPA has returned to the routine RadNet sampling and analysis process for precipitation, drinking water and milk.
About precipitation laboratory data
EPA tests air, milk, precipitation and drinking water samples to determine radiation levels across the United States. In the data reports below, "ND" or "Non-detect" indicates that the radionuclide in question was not detected in EPA's analysis. If a cell is blank, further analysis is pending.
Milk
The milk sampling results are far below the Food and Drug Administration's Derived Intervention Level for iodine-131 in milk. These types of findings are to be expected in the coming days and are far below levels of public health concern, including for infants and children. Iodine-131 has a very short half-life of approximately eight days, and the level detected in milk and milk products is therefore expected to drop relatively quickly.
EPA tests air, milk, precipitation and drinking water samples to determine radiation levels across the United States. In the data reports below, "ND" or "Non-detect" indicates that the radionuclide in question was not detected in EPA's analysis. If a cell is blank, further analysis is pending.
Drinking Water
Drinking water samples collected by EPA since the Japanese nuclear incident have shown radioactive material at levels well below public-health concern. Similar findings are to be expected in the coming weeks.
About drinking water laboratory dataEPA tests air, milk, precipitation and drinking water samples to determine radiation levels across the United States. In the data reports below, "ND" or "Non-detect" indicates that the radionuclide in question was not detected in EPA's analysis. If a cell is blank, further analysis is pending.
All Results
This table presents all of the laboratory data, sorted by location, date, and sample type. Please see above for discussion and data of each type:
EPA tests air, milk, precipitation and drinking water samples to determine radiation levels across the United States. In the data reports below, "ND" or "Non-detect" indicates that the radionuclide in question was not detected in EPA's analysis. If a cell is blank, further analysis is pending.
Original and Additional Sampling Data Reports
As of April 5, 2011, EPA presented its laboratory data in an interactive format and limited the release of sampling results in pdf format. This is part of our continued effort to make the data more useful to the public.
Air Filter and Cartridge Results
- Table of Most Recent Air Sample Results (PDF) (14pp, 1017KB)
[about pdf format]
Last updated on April 6, 2011
Precipitation Results
- Table of Most Recent Precipitation Sample Results (PDF) (2pp, 167KB)
[about pdf format]
Last updated on April 4, 2011
Milk Results
- Table of Most Recent Milk Sample Results (PDF) (3pp, 194KB)
[about pdf format]
Last updated on April 4, 2011 - Table of additional Milk Sample Results (PDF) (1pp, 128KB)
[about pdf format]
Last updated on May 24, 2011
Drinking Water
- Table of Most Recent Drinking Water Sample Results (PDF) (2pp, 155KB)
[about pdf format]
Last updated on April 4, 2011