Radiological impact on man and the environment from the oil and gas industry: risk assessment for the critical group

Full text: Radiation exposure of workers in the oil- and gas industry can occur under the following conditions: inhalation of high levels of radon gas near well-heads; increased gamma dose rate due to external radiation in the vicinity of vessels and tanks filled with brines raised to the surface; high dust levels containing Ra-226, Pb-210, Ra-228, and Th-228 during sand blasting of tanks for removing scales, or opening of valves for repair processes. In addition, the disposal of large amounts of contaminated wastes (scales, sludges) resulting from the various stages of operation are discussed in view of the elevated content in long-lived radionuclides. Finally, the recycling of contaminated metal originating within the oil- and gas industry can pose a contamination problem for the operator of such a recycling plant. In the paper the various exposure pathways are reviewed, using international data from the oil- and gas extraction industry in Latin America and Europe. Furthermore, the current efforts in defining a suitable regulatory framework are discussed with regard to their applicability to the conditions in the Caspian Region