Laboratory Testing & Results
Investigation into Tritium Contamination at Vermont Yankee
- Laboratory Test Results
- Tritium Concentration Graphs
- Monitoring Well Maps
- About Gamma Spectroscopy
- Testing Your Water
Since January 7, 2010 the Vermont Department of Health has stepped up its environmental surveillance of Vermont Yankee by testing water samples taken from drinking water wells and ground water monitoring wells on site at the plant, and in the surrounding area. Water is being sampled at least weekly for independent testing. Other samples, such as soil, milk, river sediment, and vegetation (when available), are being taken for testing as needed.
Laboratory Test Results
Tritium & Gamma Spectroscopy Test Results
[ 2012-2013 ]
[ 2011 ] [ 2010 ]
Independent test results for tritium and gamma spectroscopy. The Vermont Department of Health uses gamma spectroscopy analysis to determine if other radioisotopes - in addition to tritium - are present in samples collected from and around Vermont Yankee site.
Monitoring Well Test Results
Incorporated into our "Investigation Update," this is a list of test results from Vermont Yankee of on-site and off-site drinking water well samples, as well as water taken from the Connecticut River. Results continue to show no tritium in excess of the lower limit of detection (<LLD). No on-site or off-site wells show any other radioactive materials related to nuclear power plant operations.
Soil Sample Test Results and Analyses
Data listings and charts of the laboratory analyses, which are seperately performed by the Vermont Department of Health and Vermont Yankee.
Soil Sampling Sites -
Diagram of the soil study area showing sites.
Connecticut River Fish Tests and Results
As part of ongoing environmental surveillance around Vermont Yankee, the Health Department tests and reports on fish from two locations in the Connecticut River (9 miles upstream of the plant, and at a location outside the Vermont Yankee discharge).
Fish are tested either as a whole fish, or split into edible and inedible portions. The Health Department tests the fish for hard-to-detects and gamma-emitting materials.
Fish types tested were yellow perch, pumpkinseed, bluegill and large and small mouth bass.
Gamma Spectroscopy and Hard-to-Detects
Results Summary:
- Potassium-40, cesium-137 and strontium-90 were measured in the fish in 2010 and 2011.
- Potassium-40, a naturally occurring radionuclide, was detected in all fish tested by gamma spectroscopy with a range between 2000-4000 pCi/kg (picocuries per kilogram).
- Cesium-137 was measured in both edible and inedible portions of fish in the range of 11-25 pCi/kg. The cesium-137 results are within the historical range of less than the lower limit of detection to 100 pCi/kg.
- No historical range has been established for strontium-90 in Vermont fish. The levels measured in the inedible fractions range from less then lower limit of detection to 255 pCi/kg. The average detected result of strontium-90 was 71 pCi/kg; the median value was 58 pCi/kg.
- To date, only one sample, collected in June 2010 and reported in August 2011 has had a detectable amount of strontium-90 in the edible portion.
Strontium-90
- Results of Hard-to-detect Analyses on Fish Collected in 2010-2011 from Connecticut River (Brattleboro/Vernon, VT) Reported 08/02/11
On July 26, 2011, we received results from our contract laboratory for nine additional samples of fish samples taken since June 2010. No iron-55 or nickel-63 was detected in these samples. Similar to earlier results from the Wadsworth Laboratory, strontium-90 (Sr-90) was detected in most of the nine new samples. One finding of Sr-90 just above the lower limit of detection in one fish sample was notable because it was the first time Sr-90 had been detected in the edible portion of any of our fish samples.
Read full update
- Fish Data Comparison: Strontium-90 Reported 01/10/11
Independent analysis results for Strontium-90 for two sets of fish. For each collection, one set of fish was collected several miles upstream of Vermont Yankee and one set of fish was collected just outside of Vermont Yankee.
Lake Carmi - Connecticut River Fish Data Comparison
- Fish Data Comparison: Lake Carmi - Connecticut River
Results of fish collected from Lake Carmi in 2011 show the levels of radioactive materials, both naturally-occurring and human-made were similar to those in fish collected from the Connecticut River in 2010 and 2011. Low levels of cesium-137 and naturally-occurring potassium-40 were found in all the fish tested, in both edible and inedible (bone, guts) portions. Low levels of strontium-90 were found only in the inedible portion of the fish.
Lake Carmi was selected as a collection site because the Department of Fish and Wildlife was already sampling the lake at a time when we needed samples from water unaffected by nuclear power plants.
The Lake Carmi fish provide a baseline measure of radioactive materials that are expected as a result of historical above-ground weapons testing and global nuclear incidents. The levels of radioactive materials are similar to what has been documented in the U.S. diet and do not pose a health risk.
Updated Feb. 10, 2012: replaced preliminary data comparison with final.
Tritium Concentration Graphs
These graphs present Vermont Yankee laboratory measurements of tritium concentrations in samples collected from certain groundwater monitoring wells on site at the plant that have shown the highest measurements of tritium, expressed in picocuries per liter (pCi/l).
The location of these wells can be seen on the Monitoring Well Location Map.
Well GZ-10 is close to the site of the major leak that was identified and stopped on February 14, 2010. All evidence points to this site as the major pathway for tritium entering the groundwater.
Results from groundwater samples may change over time, depending on the initial concentration of tritium, the volume of water, and the movement of the groundwater. Groundwater in this area generally flows east to the Connecticut River. Once a tritium leak is stopped, we can expect changes in the test results. Tritium test results from a well that is mid-way between the leak and the river would increase, peak and then decline as the groundwater moves to the river.
The graphs are updated periodically.
Monitoring Well Location Maps
Additional Maps, Images & Diagrams (Non Lab)
Gamma Spectroscopy
Gamma Spectroscopy is an analytical method used by the Department of Health Laboratory to identify specific radioisotopes in a sample. Gamma spectroscopy measures energies and intensities of gamma radiation emitted from samples to identify specific radioisotopes. Each gamma radiation-emitting radioisotope has unique gamma radiation energies and intensities, like a fingerprint, allowing comparison of sample results to a library of known radioisotopes in the identification process.
Common Natural Gamma Radiation Emitters
Actinium-228 |
Americium-241 |
Beryllium-7 |
Bismuth-212 |
Bismuth-214 |
Lead-210 |
Lead-212 |
Lead-214 |
Polonium-210 |
Potassium-40 |
Protactinium-234m |
Radium-224 |
Radium-226 |
Radium-228 |
Radon-222 |
Technetium-99 |
Thallium-208 |
Thorium-228 |
Thorium-229 |
Thorium-230 |
Thorium-231 |
Thorium-232 |
Thorium-234 |
Uranium-233 |
Uranium-234 |
Uranium-235 |
Uranium-238 |
Nuclear Facility Gamma Radiation Emitters
Antimony-124 |
Antimony-126 |
Barium-140/ |
Cerium-144/ |
Cobalt-56 |
Cobalt-60 |
Chromium-51 |
Cesium-134 |
Cesium-136 |
Cesium-137 |
Iodine-131 |
Iodine-132 |
Iodine-133 |
Iodine-135 |
Krypton-85 |
Krypton-88 |
Manganese-54 |
Plutonium-239 |
Plutonium-240 |
Ruthenium-103 |
Strontium-85 |
Strontium-89 |
Tellurium-132 |
Xenon-133 |
Xenon-133m |
Xenon-135 |
Zinc-65 |
Zirconium-95/Niobium-95 |
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Testing Your Drinking Water
Once every week, the Vermont Department of Health Laboratory is testing private drinking water supplies of selected residences near the Vermont Yankee site boundary.
To date, none of these wells have shown evidence of contamination with tritium or other radionuclides that would be associated with a nuclear reactor.
If You Want Your Water Tested
For Vernon residents or others interested in having their private drinking water supplies tested, there are several public health laboratories that will analyze private well water for tritium:
- The State of Maine Health and Environmental Testing Lab
Tel: (207) 287-2727
Contact person: Pat Boudreau
- Test America Inc - Richland Washington
Tel: (509) 375-3131 ext. 164
Contact person: Christi Hayes
This is a private lab not a public health lab
- Westchester County Department of Labs and Research
Tel: (914) 231-1531
Contact person: Robert Hilbrandt, Jr.
Please contact the laboratories directly for information about sampling bottles, quantity of water needed, turnaround times, and cost.
Additional Water Testing Information
For more information and recommendations about water testing and safety: