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Answer to Question #2446 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"Category: Policy, Guidelines, and Regulations The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field: Q
Can you tell me if EPA has limits of concentration for the following natural radionuclides: radium-226, thorium-232, and potassium-40 in building materials? Can you give me a reference?
A
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not regulate naturally occurring radioactive materials like those you question above in building materials. However, EPA does regulate phosphogypsum as part of the air toxics program. Therefore, radium and thorium in natural gypsum is not regulated, but phosphogypsum, a by-product of phosphorous production (mainly in Florida), may not be used as a building material. Other than phosphogypsum, the only other radium and thorium regulations by EPA are either part of the UMTRCA (Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act) regulations at 40 CFR 192 or part of the safe drinking water Maximum Concentration Levels (MCLs). Under the Superfund program, EPA has removed radium and thorium from buildings where mill tailings, etc., were used in construction. Superfund has also cleaned up homes with other sources of radium contamination, some dating back to the early days of radium's discovery. For further information see the EPA Web site.
Michael Boyd, EPA Cynthia Jones, NRC
Answer posted on 9 April 2003. The information and material posted on this Web site is intended as general reference information only. Specific facts and circumstances may alter the concepts and applications of materials and information described herein. The information provided is not a substitute for professional advice and should not be relied upon in the absence of such professional advice specific to whatever facts and circumstances are presented in any given situation. Answers are correct at the time they are posted on the Web site. Be advised that over time, some requirements could change, new data could be made available, or Internet links could change. For answers that have been posted for several months or longer, please check the current status of the posted information prior to using the responses for specific applications.
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