National Drinking Water Database
National Drinking Water Database - Chemical Contaminants
Gross beta particle activity (dissolved)
Status: Regulated - EPA has established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for this contaminant.
Beta particles are a form of radiation frequently associated with nuclear testing and radioactive mineral deposits.
Detected |
Found above health guidelines |
Found above legal limit |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| States | 2 |
- |
- |
| Water utilities | 51 |
- |
- |
| People Served | 117,021 |
- |
- |
Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) Exposure by State
Water utilities in 2 states have reported detecting Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) in treated tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies.
| State | Water Suppliers with Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) contamination | |
|---|---|---|
| Systems | Population | |
| Wyoming | 19 | 65,479 |
| New York | 32 | 51,542 |
| Total | 51 | 117,021 |
The Most Polluted Communities
51 water utilities reported detecting Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) in tap water since 2004, according to EWG's analysis of water quality data supplied by state water agencies
Ranked by highest average Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) level
| Rank | System | Population Served | Positive test results of total reported tests | Average Level (Range) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fairway Estates Douglas, WY | 100 | 1 of 1 | 13.1 pCi/L (13.1 pCi/L) |
| 2 | Pleasant Ridge Apartments NY | 11 | 1 of 1 | 10 pCi/L (10 pCi/L) |
| 3 | Meadow Park Homeowners Assoc Evanston, WY | 100 | 1 of 1 | 9.3 pCi/L (9.3 pCi/L) |
| 4 | Town of LA Grange La Grange, WY | 334 | 1 of 1 | 8.95 pCi/L (8.95 pCi/L) |
| 5 | Pietschs Gardens North Salem, NY | 337 | 1 of 1 | 7.1 pCi/L (7.1 pCi/L) |
| 6 | Town of Albin Albin, WY | 128 | 1 of 1 | 5.3 pCi/L (5.3 pCi/L) |
| 7 | Crestview Estates Subdivision Gillette, WY | 500 | 2 of 2 | 5.3 pCi/L (5.3 pCi/L) |
| 8 | Riverwood Estates Clayton, NY | 30 | 2 of 2 | 4.75 pCi/L (0.5 to 9 pCi/L) |
| 9 | Cooper Sub Mobile Home Park Cody, WY | 100 | 2 of 2 | 4.6 pCi/L (2.8 to 6.4 pCi/L) |
| 10 | Croghan Village Croghan, NY | 1,500 | 1 of 2 | 4.5 pCi/L (0 to 9 pCi/L) |
Health Based Limits for Gross beta particle activity (dissolved)
| Standard | Description | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Gross beta particle activity (dissolved)
| Are tests routinely required for Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) by federal law? | Yes |
| Water suppliers reporting tests for Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) (2004-2009): | 70 of 47,576 |
| Average testing rate for water supplier reporting tests (2004-2009): | 0.2 per year |
Violation Summary for Gross beta particle activity (dissolved)
Data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency includes the following violations of federal standards for Gross beta particle activity (dissolved) since 2004
| Maximum Contaminant Level Exceedance Violations | 0 |
| Monitoring Violations | 15 |
| Reporting Violations | 0 |