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Naturally occurring radionuclides in the ground water of southeastern Pennsylvania

Fact Sheet 012-00
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/fs01200

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Abstract

Naturally occurring radionuclides in the ground water of southeastern Pennsylvania may pose a health hazard to some residents, especially those drinking water from wells drilled in the Chickies Quartzite. Water from 46 percent of wells sampled in the Chickies Quartzite and 7 percent of wells sampled in other geologic formations exceeded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) maximum contaminant level (MCL) for total radium. Radon-222 may pose a health problem for homeowners by contributing to indoor air radon-222 levels. The radon-222 activity of water from 89 percent of sampled wells exceeded 300 pCi/L (picocuries per liter), the proposed USEPA MCL, and water from 16 percent of sampled wells exceeded 4,000 pCi/L. Uranium does not appear to be present in elevated concentrations in ground water in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Suggested Citation

Sloto, R.A., 2000, Naturally occurring radionuclides in the ground water of southeastern Pennsylvania: U.S. Geological Survey Fact Sheet 2000–0012, 8 p., https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/fs01200.

ISSN: 2327-6932 (online)

ISSN: 2327-6916 (print)

Study Area

Table of Contents

  • Radioactivity and Radionuclides
  • Distribution of Water Samples
  • Uranium
  • Radium
  • Radon-222
  • Summary and Conclusions
  • References Cited
Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Naturally occurring radionuclides in the ground water of southeastern Pennsylvania
Series title Fact Sheet
Series number 012-00
DOI 10.3133/fs01200
Year Published 2000
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) Pennsylvania Water Science Center
Description 8 p.
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
Additional publication details