Iodine-131 (131I) and 137Cs were not detected in any milk sample during the second quarter. Data for 131I and 137Cs in milk samples are listed in Appendix C, Table C-8.
Strontium-90
was measured above the 3s uncertainty level in all five samples analyzed.
Strontium-90 is related to uptake through the food chain of historical
weapons derived fallout. The maximum level of 90Sr in milk
measured in the Carey sample collected on May 3 was below the EPA MCL of 8
pCi/L (0.30 Bq/L) and the DOE DCG of 1000 pCi/L. Data for 90Sr in
milk samples are listed in Appendix C,
Table C-9.
Tritium was not detected in any milk sample analyzed.
Figure 12. ESER Program milk sampling locations.
SHEEP SAMPLING
Certain areas of the INL are open to grazing under lease agreements managed by the Bureau of Land Management (Figure 13). Every year ESER Program personnel collect samples of sheep that have grazed on these leased areas, either just before or shortly after the sheep leave the INL. This occurs during the second quarter of the year. For the calendar year 2005, sheep were collected from the selected INL allotments before they were moved off site. Three flocks were sampled, including a control flock in Dubois from the Experimental Sheep Station, a flock from a southern INL allotment, and a flock from a northern INL allotment. Two sheep were taken from each flock for tissue analysis. Thyroid, muscle, and liver tissue were collected and analyzed for gamma emitting radionuclides.
Levels of 131I are of particular interest in thyroids because
of this organ's ability to accumulate iodine. No 131I was found
in thyroids from any of the animals.
Analysis for 137Cs showed results greater than the 3s analytical
uncertainty in two samples (one muscle and one liver) from two different
sheep. One animal was collected from the Southern allotment and one from the
Northern allotment. Both concentrations of 137Cs were similar to
those found in both onsite and offsite sheep samples during recent years.
Data for all sheep samples are listed in Appendix C,
Table C-10.
LARGE GAME ANIMAL SAMPLING
No large game animals were sampled during the second quarter of 2005.
