Ambient Environmental Radiation Monitoring: EPA’s RadNet System

The EPA’s nationwide RadNet System monitors the nation’s air, precipitation and drinking water to track radiation in the environment.  Over time, RadNet sample testing and monitoring results show the fluctuations in normal background levels of environmental radiation.  The RadNet system is designed to detect higher than normal radiation levels during a radiological incident.  More information about RadNet is available at http://www.epa.gov/radnet/

RadNet’s stationary air monitors measure gamma radiation emitted from airborne radioactive particles as they collect on the monitor’s filter.  The EPA uses RadNet monitors to track fluctuations in gamma radiation emitted from airborne radioactive particles at each site. Tracking these changes over time provides the background (normal) levels and allows the detection of detect any unusual changes.

RadNet monitoring stations in Virginia are as follows and the links associated with each station provide near real-time graphical data:

Harrisonburg: Harrisonburg RadNet Data Link
Air Particulates, Near Real-Time Gamma

Richmond: Richmond RadNet Data Link
Air Particulates, Near Real-Time Gamma

Virginia Beach: Virginia Beach RadNet Data Link
Air Particulates, Near Real-Time Gamma

 


Office of Radiological Health | 109 Governor Street, 7th Floor | Richmond, VA 23219

Telephone (804) 864-8150 | Fax: (804) 864-8155