State of Vermont

AGENCY OF NATURAL RESOURCES
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, Vermont 05671-0411

September 5, 2002

NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For More Information Contact:
Laurence Becker, State Geologist 802 241 3496

WATERBURY, VT - Vermonters have a new tool to help them understand where naturally occurring radiation might be encountered in the state.

The map, developed by the Vermont Geological Survey at the Agency of Natural Resources, assembles the results of a number of air and ground-based search efforts carried out from the 1950's to the 1980's.

The archived information was turned into a map after a number of bedrock wells with elevated radioactivity were found to be in areas that corresponded with elevated radioactivity readings from the airborne and ground-based surveys.

"The correlation between survey results and the radioactivity readings from bedrock wells means that we can provide Vermonters with another tool to help them understand the extent of naturally occurring radioactive elements, and the need to test for radioactivity in private wells," Vermont State Geologist Laurence Becker said.

Becker said the survey results used to create the map were collected as part of 'cold war' exploration focused on finding economically favorable uranium deposits (no uranium was ever commercially mined in Vermont).

"The map does not show where bedrock wells will have elevated radioactivity, and it doesn't change the Vermont Department of Health's recommendation that all private wells should be tested for radioactivity," Becker said. Public water supplies in the state are routinely tested for radionuclides.

Fact sheets on naturally occurring radiation, including radium, radon and uranium and how air and water can be treated are available from the Vermont Geological Survey or the Vermont Health Department.

A series of maps and fact sheets on naturally occurring radiation are available at the Vermont Geological Survey web site at: http://www.anr.state.vt.us/geology/radindex.htm. Alternatively information can be obtained from State Geologist Larry Becker (802) 241 3496 or Jon Kim at (802) 241 3469.

Last Updated: 9/5/2002