The other side of utilization. Unwanted radioactivity in wastes and scrap metal

Natural radionuclides in industrial wastes and mining residues cannot be neglected in the frame of radiation protection and are therefore part of the radiation protection system in the sense of the IAEA definition. In case of purposely added uranium or thorium or utilization of ionizing radiation these products are also part of the radiation protection system since 2001. The historically grown radiation protection system is incomplete with respect to radiation sources, contaminated objects or materials with enriched natural radioactivity. These materials are detected by radiation monitoring systems that are targeted to find lost technical radiation sources. Experiences with the survey of respective incidents show the multifaceted image of utilization and consumption if natural radionuclide containing products.