Chemical and Pathogenic Contaminant Exposure: Radionuclides

Naturally occurring and man-made radioactive elements undergo radioactive decay in a series of transformations. Energy is emitted during each step of this decay process, which occur as quickly as seconds or as long as many years, until the last step when a stable isotope of lead is created. Particles and rays are given off during the decay process, some in the form of "ionizing radiation." Ionizing radiation can cause adverse human-health effects. There are several naturally occurring and man-made sources of ionizing radiation that are potential water contaminants and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has recently updated the drinking water standards for selected radionuclides.

The U.S. Geological Survey conducts occurrence, geochemical, and other studies on radionuclides as water contaminants as well as their use for environmental tracer or age-dating tools.

In Drinking Water:

• National reconnaissance of selected radionuclides
• Radium in the New Jersey Coastal Plain
• Radium in Cambrian-Ordovician Aquifers of Illinois
• Uranium and radon in domestic wells of the United States
• Uranium and radon in Fallon, Nevada

Occurrence and Geochemistry of Selected Radionuclides

• Radon in ground water of the Potomac River Basin
• Radon and radium in New England
• Radon and radium in the Ozark Plateau
• Selected radionuclides in Pennsylvania

Other Sources of USGS Information on Radionuclides:

• Hydrogeochemical investigations of radionuclides
• The geology of radon
• Radon in Earth, Air, and Water

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://health.usgs.gov/dw_contaminants/radionuclides.html
Page Contact Information: Herb Buxton
Page Last Modified: 09-Feb-2007@14:25