NH DHHS to Do Additional Testing in Response to Low Levels of Tritium Found in Connecticut River

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

(DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) was notified by the

Vermont Department of Health (VDH) yesterday that water samples taken from

the Connecticut River near the Vermont Yankee (VY) Nuclear Power Plant in

Vernon, Vermont tested positive for tritium. In response to this finding,

DPHS will be conducting additional water testing beginning tomorrow.



The samples, taken on July 18 and July 25, were collected approximately 2

feet from the point where the contaminated groundwater identified last year

flows from the shoreline into the River. The samples measured 534 and 611

pCi/L (picocuries per liter), which is just above the lower limit of

detection of 500pCi/L. Environmental Protection Agency standards for

potable (drinkable) water are 20,000 pCi/L. VDH stated that the finding

confirms that the tritium from a leak detected at VY over a year ago, which

has since been corrected, has moved slowly underground to the Connecticut

River.



“While this finding does not create a risk of harm to the public, it is

still concerning,” said Joan Ascheim, DPHS Bureau Chief. “We have been

testing for months and no results have been above minimum detectable

levels, but we want to be assured that this is not a new issue and does not

pose a new risk.”



DHHS’ Division of Public Health Services routinely collects and analyzes

hundreds of environmental samples each year around the 10-mile emergency

planning zones of both VY and Seabrook Station nuclear power plants to

monitor air, soil, ground and surface water, and plants. Results from this

additional testing will be made available as soon as results are complete.



For more information, please visit the Vermont Department of Health website

at http://healthvermont.gov/enviro/rad/yankee/tritium.aspx or the New

Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services website at

http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/dphs/lab/monitoring.htm.

NH DHHS - DPHS Releases Additional Drinking Water Radiation Test Results

Concord, NH – The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) Radiochemistry Laboratory has completed testing and analysis of additional surface water samples that were collected to determine if radiation related to the nuclear crisis in Japan was present. The samples were collected from the city of Berlin.

The drinking water samples were screened and analyzed for the presence of radioiodine, I-131, and/or other nuclear power plant related radionuclides. The tests results reveal that the water samples did not detect any I-131 activity or any other radionuclide related to a nuclear power plant release above the Minimum Detectable Activity.

“These test results are consistent with earlier analysis of water samples collected in various communities around New Hampshire,” said Public Health Director Dr. José Montero. “With this news, we again want to emphasize to everyone that our drinking water is safe. We will however, continue our increased surveillance and testing while the situation in Japan continues to evolve.”

Staff from the Department of Environmental Services (DES) collected the water samples and worked with DPHS staff to facilitate reporting of the results.



NH DPHS Releases Drinking Water Radiation Tests Results for Six Cities and Towns

Concord, NH - The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) Radiochemistry Laboratory has completed testing and analysis of surface water samples that were collected late last week to determine if any Fukushima-related radiation was present. These samples were collected from Concord, Nashua, Laconia, Manchester, Portsmouth, and Keene. The drinking water samples collected from the cities and towns were screened and analyzed for the presence of radioiodine, I-131, and/or other nuclear power plant–related radionuclides.

Radioanalytical testing done on the drinking water samples did not detect any I-131 activity or any other radionuclide related to a nuclear power plant release above the Minimum Detectable Activity. Department of Environmental Services (DES) staff collected the samples and worked with DPHS to facilitate reporting of the test results.This rapid response was successful due to the collaboration of these two agencies.

“As is evident from our own sampling and as the national expert agencies such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency have advised, the radiation released from the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan does not pose a direct risk to the citizens of New Hampshire,” said José Montero, Director of Public Health. “However, there is public concern that must be addressed and we wanted to assure the public that our drinking water is safe. We determined that one way to do that was to increase our usual sampling efforts of drinking water. We will continue to do so until the accident in Japan is under full control.”

DPHS also reports that a fresh snow sample collected and analyzed over the weekend showed trace amounts of Iodine-131 (18 picocuries per liter or pCi/L). The Minimum Detectable Activity (MDA) for I-131 in this sample was 8 pCi/L. A previous measure reported on March 28 showed 40 pCi/L. Neither of these levels is considered a public health risk.

These recommendations are one of the topics DHHS is focusing on this week in recognition of National Public Health Week; for more information go to www.nphw.org

For more information about radiation and the crisis in Japan, visit the following sites: State of New Hampshire readiness www.nh.gov/readynh , NH Department of Health and Human Services www.dhhs.nh.gov , US Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov , US Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov .



NH DHHS - Low Level of Radiation Found in a Sample of Snow

Concord, NH – The Department of Health and Human Services, Division of Public Health Services (DPHS) is announcing results of a snow sample processed by the Public Health Labs over the weekend. The sample was collected from the DPHS radiological detection equipment in Concord. The test results show low levels of radioiodine, or I-131, which are consistent with findings from other states as a result of the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan. The level was measured at approximately 40 pCi/L (picocuries per liter).

“In New Hampshire we do not typically test rain or snow samples during the winter season,” said Dr. José Montero, DPHS Director. “However, we felt it was prudent to take the initiative and do some expanded testing. This is not an unexpected finding and we may continue to see similar activity until the crisis in Japan stabilizes. I want to be clear that this does not constitute a threat to the public in New Hampshire and there are no actions people should be taking as a result of this finding.”

The results of DPHS’ radiological detection program are submitted automatically to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). This is part of a national program to monitor radiation levels around the country and data are complied by the EPA. DPHS does historic monitoring of radiation across the State on a regular basis and will continue to do so.

Monitoring for radioactivity in the air, waters, and soil is done on a continuing basis in New Hampshire. DPHS will conduct additional testing as necessary relative to the evolving situation in Japan.

“For those who may be concerned about this finding I would like to put this in perspective,” said Montero. “The amount of radiation detected is at least 25 times below the level that would be of concern for use as a sole source of water over a short period of time, even for infants, pregnant women or breastfeeding women, who are the most sensitive to radiation. We will be updating the public as further information becomes available.”

For more information, visit the following sites:

State of New Hampshire readiness www.nh.gov/readynh
NH Department of Health and Human Services www.dhhs.nh.gov
US Federal Emergency Management Agency www.fema.gov
US Food and Drug Administration www.fda.gov
To Donate to the Japan Response Efforts www.usaid.gov



CEI Weekly: CEI Warns Against Hysterical Response to Japanese Crisis

Feature: Chris Horner explains why Americans shouldn't discount the benefits of nuclear energy, despite the Japanese disaster.

FEATURED VIDEO: CEI Warns Against Hysterical Response to Japanese Crisis In the tragic aftermath of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, the American media outlets has focused almost exclusively on what's happening to Japanese nuclear power plants. On Fox Business this week, Chris Horner argued that while the Japanese crisis certainly demands immediate attention, the global community should be careful not to let their current fears about nuclear disaster dictate future energy policy. Watch the interview here. SHAPING THE DEBATE The Politicized Light Bulb; The Problem With Mandates Chris Horner's blog post on The New York Times' Room For Debate We Must Have Real Accountability From Our Overseers Hans Bader's letter to the editor in The Wall Street Journal Three Lessons From Japan's Nuclear Crisis Iain Murray's op-ed in The Washington Times Class Action: Gainful Employment Proposal Penalizes At-Risk Student Populations and Hurts the Economy Kara Cheseby's newly-released CEI study The Truth About Obama and Nuclear Power Chris Horner's op-ed in The Daily Caller GOP Lawmakers Seek Labor Reform in Michigan Vincent Vernuccio's op-ed in The Daily Caller Voluntary Nutritional Labeling on Alcohol is the Best Recipe Michelle Minton's op-ed on BigGovernment Judge Orders More Money for New Jersey's Educational-Industrial Complex Hans Bader's blog post on The Washington Examiner Japanese Silver Lining? Not Likely Ryan Young's citation in The Daily Caller

CEI PODCAST March 21, 2010: How Washington Ruined Your Washing Machine CEI General Counsel Sam Kazman talks about how ever-stricter energy efficiency regulations are making washing machines more expensive and less effective than they used to be. Sam recently wrote about the issue for The Wall Street Journal; you can read his article here. BEST OF THE BLOGS U.S. Property Rights Protections Continue to Decline By Marc Scribner Obama Administration Undermines Free Speech and Due Process in Crusade Against Harassment and Bullying By Hans Bader The Hidden Costs of State Workers' Early Retirement By Trey Kovacs Obama's Support of Brazil By Brian McGraw