EPA Region 3

Philadelphia, PA 19103EPA/903/F-04/005July 2004

Patricia Bradleybradley.patricia@epa.gov410-305-2744U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Mid-Atlantic Integrated AssessmentEnvironmental Science Center701 Mapes RoadFt. Meade, MD 20755-5350www.epa.gov/maiaDavid W. Boltondbolton@dnr.state.md.us410-554-5561Maryland Geological SurveyMaryland Dept of Natural Resources2300 St. Paul StreetBaltimore, MD 21218www.mgs.md.govKerry Topovskihdkerry1@aacounty.org410-222-7050Anne Arundel County Dept of Health Division of Community Environmental Healthwww.aahealth.orgJohn Gracejgrace@mde.state.md.us410-537-3714Water Supply ProgramMaryland Dept of the Environment1800 Washington BlvdBaltimore, MD 21230www.mde.state.md.usThomas J. 

Vicino

tvicino1@umbc.edu410-455-8662University of Maryland, Baltimore CountyCenter for Urban Environmental Research and Education1000 Hilltop Circle 

TRC 102

Initiatives, Accomplishments & Results

MAIA Best Mana

gement Practices 

Case Studies Course 

• Proactive environmental management in the County 

resulted in the creation of the Anne Arundel County Advisory Cancer 

Task Force that led to the detection 

of radium in the groundwater.

• Full scienti

fic assessment was crucial. 

Two studies 

determined the extent and distribution of radium concentrations to provide the health risk assessment.

• Intergovernmental cooperation was a key to success. 

Multiple agencies were involved in all stages of assessment, mitigation, and public outreach:- The County and State conducted comprehensive 

health risk assessments of the danger of radium consumption;

- The County and State worked together to determine 

and communicate the degree of contamination;

- EPA’s MAIA team assisted with GIS expertise to 

provide a mapping tool to help understand and manage the radium contamination.

• Maintaining open channels of communication was 

integral to sustaining the trust of the County’s citizens:- Early and full disclosure helped to establish trust 

and develop rapport with the residents;

- Open-house meetings were a valuable mechanism 

to convey information and interact with the community;

- Residents’ perception of risk needed to be 

considered;

- Fear, emotion, or lack of interest was not allowed to 

dictate mitigation strategies.

• 

A thorough knowledge of the nature of the problem 

provided effective mitigation options.

• The solution had to balance risk and mitigation 

options and consider various factors.

• Implementation of public policies and environmental 

management practices provided for effective prevention of a public health problem.

• Ninetyfive percent of the new wells drilled to the 

speci

fied depth have radium concentrations below the 

MCL.

Background In the late 1980’s, high cancer Anne Arundel County, Marylahealth priority. Tobacco and owere targeted but concerns in resulted in an Advisory 

Task F

health and environmental factwere other factors involved. 1995 Task Force 

• Tobacco use, lack of med

and lack of proper diet anmajor factors in cancer ra

• Not enough was known a

1. Develop recommendation

prevention of cancer; 

2. Collect and maintain data 

behaviors and environmento high cancer rates; and 

3. Advise on ways to reduce The 

Task Force included con

physicians, public health offic

engineers, lawyers, and EPA 

published its 

findings and rec

in 1996. 

Char

ge: 

Conclusio
health officers, and elected 

officials to correct the problem. Full-time staff were assigned from MDE Water Management Administration, USGS Water Resources Program, MGS Hydrogeology Division, and AADOH Division of Community and Environmental Health. EPA’s MAIA program developed a 3-D GIS computer model, based on MGS’s contours and 3-D map to predict the occurrence and location of the radium, and trained the State and County to use the model.

0 $ 50 K $100 K $150 K $ 200 K $ 250 K

GIS Maps Depth 

and Alpha, 2001

Radium

Bay Area Study, 2000

Carcinogenic 

Pilot Study, 1997

Cancer

Task Force, 1995 $ 150,000

$ 235,300

$ 167,500

$ 30,820

AADOH

AADOH/MGS/USGS/AADPW

MGS/MDE/USGS

MGS/

USGS

Figure 8. Radium assessment and mitigation study costs.

gross alpha-particle test costs $64. If the results are within the acceptable range, no further testing is necessary. If the initial testing results are between 5 and 15 pCi/L, specific testing is necessary for radium-226 and radium-228. A test for combined levels of radium-226 and radium-228 costs $158. Homeowners with existing private wells typically pay these testing expenses. MDE and AADOH contributed to the purchase of new laboratory equipment (a low

safe, cost-effective drinking water. These options were far less expensive than extending public water to all affected areas. Anne Arundel County estimated that it would cost nearly $30,000 per household and, even spread over 30 years, would be prohibitive for many households. Therefore, methods of mitigation at the household level were deemed more appropriate by the county and state. 

ns were detected at 

iter (pCi/L). Fifteen 

ormations (northern 

s that exceeded federal 

minated groundwater 

ess and possibly 

yet to determine how 

vidence from this 

pH levels less than 6), 

o the groundwater in 

when the ground- water 

ularly sodium and 

y contribute to the 

 the aquifers where high 

h range in depth from 

e highest level of radium 

n times the acceptable 

undel County. 

miles 

oncentrations are potentially 

nking water standards 

-400 -200 +200 Sea Level 

B 

Annapolis 

oute 50/301 

Chesapeake Bay AQUIA FORMATION 

THY FORMATION 

WAN-MONMOUTH FORMATION 

e Arundel County 

water-bearing zones

 Source: Maryland Geologic Survey 
deeper residential well.

Photo courtesy of USGS

samples.

Photo courtesy of USGS

Most water quality 

analyses can be 

done in the 

fi eld. 

Radiochemical 

analysis needs to 

be performed in a 

laboratory. Source: Maryland Dept of the Environment 

Anne Arundel 

y 

y

q

g 

The study expansion received 

financial support from EPA’s Mid-Atlantic regional 

office. The agencies worked together to survey and test the groundwater in this area during 1998; 203 wells were sampled. High radioactivity in groundwater was con

firmed in northern and central Anne Arundel County, but generally not 

found elsewhere. This suggested that the radium was localized within the shallow groundwater of these aquifers. About 49% of the 203 wells tested exceeded the MCL. Six of the wells in the coastal plain that exceeded the MCL for gross alpha particles were not in Anne Arundel County. By early 2000, AADOH had acquired signi

ficant 

evidence that the aquifers that supply drinking water to approximately 20,000 residents in northern and central Anne Arundel County were contaminated. Most homeowners were not exposed to high radium-levels since most radiumcontaminated wells were equipped with systems for iron removal, which effectively reduces radium exposure to negligible levels. The data revealed various patterns of high radium concentrations: 

• Radioactivity was highest in the shallow uncon

fined parts of 

the Coastal Plain aquifers.

• Radioactivity tended to be lower in deeper, con

fi ned aquifers; 

in nearly all sampled wells deeper than 300 feet, radium concentrations were below the MCL.

• Radioactivity tended to increase as the pH of the 

groundwater decreased.

• Radium increased in direct proportion to increases in sodium 

and chloride.

• Radium-224, which has a half-life of 3.64 days, appears to be

the dominant radium isotype.

not regulated in public water supplies because of its short half-life (3.64 days); radium-226 has a half-life of 1,622 years and emits alpha particles. Gross alpha particle activity (GAPA) is an indicator of the amount of alpha-emitting radionuclides, including radium-224 and radium226. Radium-228 has a half-life of 5.75 years and emits beta particles.Gross beta-particle activity (GBPA) is an indicator of the amount of beta-emitting radionuclides, including radium-228. Radium isotopes are found in soil, rocks, plants, food, and groundwater.Water samples were analyzed for both short and long-term GAPA and GBPA. Short-term measurements were Cecil

Washington 

Harford made within three days of 

sample collection, while long-term measurements were made on the same sample approximately 

Carroll 

Short Term Gross 

Alpha Results Baltimore Frederick 

Balt. less than 5 pCi/L City Kent 

Howard 

5-15 pCi/L 30 days after collection.15.1-50 pCi/L Montgomery  Queen If the long-term GAPA is Annes greater than 50 pCi/L 

much less than the shortterm GAPA, the decrease 

MCL for Gross Alpha is 15 pCi/L is due to the rapid 

decay of radium-224 

Prince 

Georges 

Figure 3. Results of gross-alpha testing from wells in the Patapsco, Magoth

y, or other alpha-emitting 

and selected Piedmont aquifers. radionuclides having short half-lives. 
I O N E X C H 

A N G E S 

Y S 

T E M

R E 

V E R S E O S M O S I S S 

Y S 

T E M

system. The signed agreement was recorded against the deeds of the affected properties to ensure future buyers were aware of the maintenance responsibilities. AADOH and MDE then worked together to provide treatment options for homeowners who elected not to replace wells immediately. Once the well water was found contaminated, the homeowner had a choice of one of two recommended water treatment systems — ion exchange or reverse osmosis.

This is a point-of-use system where individual faucets throughout the house are targeted and filtered. It is a mechanical process that allows some molecules to pass through a fi lter while leaving others in the unit and is an economical approach to providing safe drinking water.

3 2 1

5 4

PRESSURIZED

HOLDING

TANK

DISPENSING FAUCET

INPUT 

DRAIN

membrane

This is a water softening system capable of treating an entire household’

s water supply. It is 

typically used to decrease iron, calcium, and magnesium deposits.An ion exchange system tends to produce excess sodium, so it may not be appropriate for persons with diet restrictions.

fective 

ign to de

fi ne the 

8 community meetings 

chools to bring government 

c together. The meetings 

io, television, and in the 

nt and private experts 

ond to residents’ concerns. 

other state and federal 

s able to provide residents 

ual information. This public 

antages: 

e to obtain information 

cerns. 

Tables were set up 

ive radium information 

H, the Board of Education, 

sts. 

ormal environment that was 

intimidating. Residents 

the meeting place at 

arn about their speci

fic 

ovided residents who 

an ample opportunity to 

avoided the traditional 

mat, where it is easy for one 

nions to dominate and there 

 interactions. 

 20,000 residents alerted 

radium and ways to 

County continues to offer 

eowners about radium 

l new wells to be tested for 

. 
fective 

ign to de

fi ne the 

8 community meetings 

chools to bring government 

c together. The meetings 

io, television, and in the 

nt and private experts 

ond to residents’ concerns. 

other state and federal 

s able to provide residents 

ual information. This public 

antages:

e to obtain information 

cerns. 

Tables were set up 

ive radium information 

H, the Board of Education, 

sts.

ormal environment that was 

intimidating. Residents 

the meeting place at 

arn about their speci

fi c 

ovided residents who 

an ample opportunity to 

avoided the traditional 

mat, where it is easy for one 

nions to dominate and there 

 interactions.

 20,000 residents alerted 

radium and ways to 

County continues to offer 

eowners about radium 

l new wells to be tested for 

. 

system. The signed agreement was recorded against the deeds of the affected properties to ensure future buyers were aware of the maintenance responsibilities. AADOH and MDE then worked together to provide treatment options for homeowners who elected not to replace wells immediately. Once the well water was found contaminated, the homeowner had a choice of one of two recommended water treatment systems — ion exchange or reverse osmosis. 

I O N E X C H 

A N G E S 

Y S 

T E M 

R E 

V E R S E O S M O S I S S 

Y S 

T E M 

This is a point-of-use system where individual faucets throughout the house are targeted and filtered. It is a mechanical process that allows some molecules to pass through a fi lter while leaving others in the unit and is an economical approach to providing safe drinking water. 

3 2 1

5 4 

PRESSURIZED 

HOLDING 

TANK 

DISPENSING FAUCET 

INPUT 

DRAIN 

membrane 

This is a water softening system capable of treating an entire household’

s water supply. It is 

typically used to decrease iron, calcium, and magnesium deposits. An ion exchange system tends to produce excess sodium, so it may not be appropriate for persons with diet restrictions. 
y 

y

q

g 

The study expansion received 

financial support from EPA’s Mid-Atlantic regional 

office. The agencies worked together to survey and test the groundwater in this area during 1998; 203 wells were sampled. High radioactivity in groundwater was con

firmed in northern and central Anne Arundel County, but generally not 

found elsewhere. This suggested that the radium was localized within the shallow groundwater of these aquifers. About 49% of the 203 wells tested exceeded the MCL. Six of the wells in the coastal plain that exceeded the MCL for gross alpha particles were not in Anne Arundel County. By early 2000, AADOH had acquired signi

fi cant 

evidence that the aquifers that supply drinking water to approximately 20,000 residents in northern and central Anne Arundel County were contaminated. Most homeowners were not exposed to high radium-levels since most radiumcontaminated wells were equipped with systems for iron removal, which effectively reduces radium exposure to negligible levels. The data revealed various patterns of high radium concentrations: 

• Radioactivity was highest in the shallow uncon

fined parts of 

the Coastal Plain aquifers.

• Radioactivity tended to be lower in deeper, con

fi ned aquifers; 

in nearly all sampled wells deeper than 300 feet, radium concentrations were below the MCL.

• Radioactivity tended to increase as the pH of the 

groundwater decreased.

• Radium increased in direct proportion to increases in sodium 

and chloride.

• Radium-224, which has a half-life of 3.64 days, appears to be 

the dominant radium isotype.

Montgomery

Prince 

Georges

Frederick

Carroll

Harford

Cecil

Kent

Queen 

Annes

Baltimore

Balt.

City

Howard

Source: Maryland Dept of the Environment

Washington

Anne Arundel

Figure 3. Results of gross-alpha testing from wells in the Patapsco, Magoth

y,

and selected Piedmont aquifers.

less than 5 pCi/L5-15 pCi/L15.1-50 pCi/Lgreater than 50 pCi/L

Short Term Gross 

Alpha Results

MCL for Gross Alpha is 15 pCi/L

not regulated in public water supplies because of its short half-life (3.64 days); radium-226 has a half-life of 1,622 years and emits alpha particles. Gross alpha particle activity (GAPA) is an indicator of the amount of alpha-emitting radionuclides, including radium-224 and radium226.Radium-228 has a half-life of 5.75 years and emits beta particles.Gross beta-particle activity (GBPA) is an indicator of the amount of beta-emitting radionuclides, including radium-228.Radium isotopes are found in soil, rocks, plants, food, and groundwater.Water samples were analyzed for both short and long-term GAPA and GBPA.Short-term measurements were made within three days of sample collection, while long-term measurements were made on the same sample approximately 30 days after collection.If the long-term GAPA is much less than the shortterm GAPA, the decrease is due to the rapid decay of radium-224 or other alpha-emitting radionuclides having short half-lives.

deeper residential well. 

samples. 

Photo courtesy of USGS 

Most water quality 

analyses can be 

done in the 

field. 

Radiochemical 

analysis needs to 

be performed in a 

laboratory. 

Photo courtesy of USGS 
ns were detected at 

iter (pCi/L). Fifteen 

ormations (northern 

s that exceeded federal 

minated groundwater

ess and possibly 

yet to determine how 

vidence from this 

pH levels less than 6), 

o the groundwater in 

when the ground- water 

ularly sodium and 

y contribute to the 

 the aquifers where high 

h range in depth from 

e highest level of radium 

n times the acceptable 

undel County.

miles

oncentrations are potentially 

nking water standards

-400-200+200Sea Level

B

Annapolis

oute 50/301

Chesapeake Bay

AQUIA FORMATION 

THY FORMATION 

WAN-MONMOUTH FORMATION

e Arundel County

water-bearing zones

 Source: Maryland Geologic Survey

health officers, and elected 

officials to correct the problem. Full-time staff were assigned from MDE Water Management Administration, USGS Water Resources Program, MGS Hydrogeology Division, and AADOH Division of Community and Environmental Health. EPA’s MAIA program developed a 3-D GIS computer model, based on MGS’s contours and 3-D map to predict the occurrence and location of the radium, and trained the State and County to use the model. 

gross alpha-particle test costs $64. If the results are within the acceptable range, no further testing is necessary. If the initial testing results are between 5 and 15 pCi/L, specific testing is necessary for radium-226 and radium-228. A test for combined levels of radium-226 and radium-228 costs $158. Homeowners with existing private wells typically pay these testing expenses. MDE and AADOH contributed to the purchase of new laboratory equipment (a low

safe, cost-effective drinking water. These options were far less expensive than extending public water to all affected areas. Anne Arundel County estimated that it would cost nearly $30,000 per household and, even spread over 30 years, would be prohibitive for many households. Therefore, methods of mitigation at the household level were deemed more appropriate by the county and state. 

0 $ 50 K $100 K $150 K $ 200 K $ 250 K 

GIS Maps Depth 

and Alpha, 2001 

Radium 

Bay Area Study, 2000 

Carcinogenic 

Pilot Study, 1997 

Cancer 

Task Force, 1995 $ 150,000 

$ 235,300 

$ 167,500 

$ 30,820 

AADOH 

AADOH/MGS/USGS/AADPW 

MGS/MDE/USGS 

MGS/ 

USGS 

Figure 8. Radium assessment and mitigation study costs. 
Background

In the late 1980’s, high cancer death rates in Anne Arundel County, Maryland were made a health priority. Tobacco and other lifestyle issues were targeted but concerns in the community resulted in an Advisory 

Task Force to study 

health and environmental factors to see if there were other factors involved.1995 Task Force

Pilot Stud

y

As a result of the 

Task Force’s recommendation, 

AADOH and Anne Arundel County Department of Public 

Works (AADPW), the Maryland 

Geological Survey (MGS), and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) conducted a groundwater quality pilot study in 1997. The pilot study included areas where groundwater was vulnerable to carcinogens, including industrial and commercial sites, areas with naturally occurring radionuclides like radon, and agricultural areas where pesticides were a potential contaminant. Forty-seven domestic wells were tested for 43 contaminants: inorganic constituents including iron and nitrate, radionuclides (uranium and radium), volatile organic compounds (evaporating chemicals such as benzene), and pesticides. 

• 

Tobacco use, lack of medical screening, 

and lack of proper diet and exercise were major factors in cancer rates.

• Not enough was known about air and 

water pollutants to determine their role as contributing factors.

1. Develop recommendations for control and 

prevention of cancer; 

2. Collect and maintain data about health 

behaviors and environmental risks leading to high cancer rates; and 

3. Advise on ways to reduce cancer risk. The 

Task Force included concerned citizens, 

physicians, public health offi cers, scientists, 

engineers, lawyers, and EPA offi cials. It 

published its 

findings and recommendations 

in 1996.

Char

g

e:

Conclusion:

Recommendation:

The task force recommended that the Anne Arundel County Department of Health (AADOH) investigate groundwater supplies as little data was available about carcinogens in private well water.

Figure 1. The dark green portion of Anne Arundel County represents the testing area for gross alpha and radium 226/228.

Source: Baltimore Council of Governments, 2003 CARROLL COUNTY BALTIMORE COUNTY BALTIMORE CITY

PA

MD

WV

VA

NJ

DE

HARFORD

COUNTY

HO

WARD

COUNTY

Annapolis

Chesapeake Bay

ANNE

ARUNDEL

COUNTY

Ft Meade

involved in all stages of 

and public outreach: 

 conducted comprehensive 

ts of the danger of radium

 worked together to determine 

degree of contamination; 

sisted with GIS expertise to 

ol to help understand and

ntamination.

nels of communication was 

e trust of the County’s citizens: 

ure helped to establish trust 

with the residents; 

 were a valuable mechanism

n and interact with the

 of risk needed to be 

 of interest was not allowed to 

tegies. 

of the nature of the problem 

ation options. 

ance risk and mitigation 

rious factors. 

ic policies and environmental 

rovided for effective 

ealth problem. 

he new wells drilled to the 

dium concentrations below the 

ana

gement Practices 

Studies Course 

the Mid-Atlantic region have 

ed unique approaches to respond 

s and concerns. The Mid-Atlantic 

MAIA) has also conducted 

he region, much of which has 

tal managers to meet their 

a graduate-level research seminar 

 these success stories so that other 

ns can also use these approaches