National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Alpha particle activity
Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Alpha particles are a form of radiation released from mining waste pollutants and natural sources. [read more]
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 16 |
16 |
12 |
| Water utilities | 6,666 |
6,666 |
566 |
| People Served | 69,382,617 |
69,382,617 |
6,947,348 |
Alpha particle activity Exposure by State
Water utilities in 16 states have reported detecting Alpha particle activity in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Alpha particle activity contamination | Water suppliers reporting Alpha particle activity above health-based limits | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | Systems | Population | |
| California | 1,900 | 43,647,432 | 1,900 | 43,647,432 |
| Texas | 1,638 | 7,856,260 | 1,638 | 7,856,260 |
| Illinois | 812 | 7,657,740 | 812 | 7,657,740 |
| Missouri | 890 | 2,795,668 | 890 | 2,795,668 |
| New York | 501 | 2,790,654 | 501 | 2,790,654 |
| Minnesota | 316 | 1,826,886 | 316 | 1,826,886 |
| Delaware | 200 | 879,416 | 200 | 879,416 |
| Arkansas | 160 | 770,439 | 160 | 770,439 |
| Florida | 1 | 416,303 | 1 | 416,303 |
| Washington | 99 | 361,600 | 99 | 361,600 |
| New Mexico | 51 | 250,589 | 51 | 250,589 |
| Maine | 91 | 121,523 | 91 | 121,523 |
| Idaho | 2 | 7,430 | 2 | 7,430 |
| Nevada | 3 | 352 | 3 | 352 |
| Virginia | 1 | 250 | 1 | 250 |
| Utah | 1 | 75 | 1 | 75 |
| Total | 6,666 | 69,382,617 | 6,666 | 69,382,617 |
The Most Polluted Communities
6,666 water utilities reported detecting Alpha particle activity in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Alpha particle activity level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyburz Mutual Water System Kyburz, CA | 250 | 1 of 1 | 45 pCi/L (45 pCi/L) |
| 2 | Rainbird Valley Mutual Water Company Weldon, CA | 225 | 1 of 1 | 44.7 pCi/L (44.7 pCi/L) |
| 3 | City of Roaring Springs Roaring Springs, TX | 290 | 1 of 1 | 44 pCi/L (44 pCi/L) |
| 4 | Fossil Rock Recreation Area IL | 438 | 2 of 2 | 43.15 pCi/L (41.4 to 44.9 pCi/L) |
| 5 | G and S Water Works Tucson, NM | 67 | 1 of 1 | 43 pCi/L (43 pCi/L) |
| 6 | Los Arboles Mhp Las Cruces, NM | 330 | 1 of 1 | 41.5 pCi/L (41.5 pCi/L) |
| 7 | Columbus Water System Columbus, NM | 2,000 | 1 of 1 | 41 pCi/L (41 pCi/L) |
| 8 | Upton County Wcid 1 Rankin Rankin, TX | 25 | 1 of 1 | 40.2 pCi/L (40.2 pCi/L) |
| 9 | Home Gardens County Wd Corona, CA | 3,044 | 3 of 3 | 38.33 pCi/L (33 to 44 pCi/L) |
| 10 | Valley Estates Lubbock, TX | 70 | 2 of 2 | 37.35 pCi/L (37.2 to 37.5 pCi/L) |
Health Based Limits for Alpha particle activity
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Contaminant Limit Goal (MCLG) | A non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 0 pCi/L |
| Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL) | The enforceable standard which defines the highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to health-based limits (Maximum Contaminant Level Goals, or MCLGs) as feasible using the best available analytical and treatment technologies and taking cost into consideration. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. | 15 pCi/L |
Testing Summary for Alpha particle activity
| Are tests routinely required for Alpha particle activity by federal law? | Yes |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Alpha particle activity (2004-2009): | 9,757 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.6 per year |
Violation Summary for Alpha particle activity
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards for Alpha particle activity since 2004
| Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance Violations | 186 |
| Monitoring Violations | 183 |
| Reporting Violations | 0 |