Date: 10 Feb 1999

97 Chiefs:
Haven't heard much from Trace Element Synthesis?  This is the first of
several memos I'll send over the next few weeks to catch up with all of you.

[Staffing announcements superseded]

Sampling.
A reminder that the trace element Schedule 2703 is required for all Subunit
surveys.  That's not new news -- you heard it at the Denver meeting a year
ago.  But thought a reminder wouldn't hurt.  We have worked with the NWQL
so that additional elements listed by the TENSPT planning team have been
added to the schedule at no additional cost.  If you have any questions,
call me.

I've been working on obtaining funds for the analysis of radium species for
subunit survey samples.  Working on both internal and external sources --
but all external to (won't come out of) your current funding!!  As of now
we only do radon and uranium as radiochemicals in the subunit surveys, and
these aren't the most important ones for exposure to humans.  The
additional field effort would consist of filtering two more bottles of
water, and acid preserving them.  The benefit would be getting data on one
of the most important cancer risks in groundwater, and for drinking water
in general.  I'll let you know as soon as I can whether the funds are
available -- I know most are planning their surveys this FY, and a few have
already started them.

More info soon.
---------------------------------------------------------------
    Dennis R. Helsel                   Ph: (303) 236-2101 x227
    U.S. Geological Survey             Fax:(303) 236-4912
    PO Box 25046, MS-415
    Denver, CO   80225                 dhelsel@usgs.gov