European Waste Catalogue - A Platform for a Common Approach to NORM and Other Industrial Waste

The European Council Directive 96/29/Euratom requires European Union (EU) Member States to determine which NORM 'work activities' are of concern with respect to radiation exposure. Existing data have highlighted a strong need to include, within the regulatory scope of radiation protection, non-nuclear industries in which materials containing enhanced natural radioactivity occur. In reality, however, these radiation risks are often still not subject to control and are not even subject to simple monitoring. This is brought about by a lack of information about radiation risks outside those industrial sectors in which sources of radiation are purposely used (practices). As a result, the potential end users of NORM type residues are seldom aware of possible problems due to natural radioactivity, or are afraid of the negative consequences (such as costs, and fears among workers and the public) should radiation protection measures be implemented. Finally, the radiation risk caused by the use or disposal of NORM is in many cases neglected. EU Member States tend to deal with this problem in a case by case manner, but it is still rare for the risk caused by NORM to be fully taken into account when the destination of such a residue is planned. Often, the treatment of NORM residues is regulated only by 'classical' environmental regulations, which take into account only the non-radiological risks. This may engender serious problems from a radiation protection point of view. An approach to the solution of the problem of NORM, based on the application of universal so-called 'clearance levels' is not always appropriate and, often, case specific risk assessment scenarios must rather be developed. The paper promotes the idea of using the European Waste Catalogue (EWC) to help develop an awareness among all stakeholders of concern. A list of waste types already classified in the EWC has been completed with basic information about the possible content of natural radioactivity. A form for additional information to support a derived radiation risk assessment is proposed. As an additional advantage, attention is drawn to the role of the EWC as a tool for harmonization and consistency in the approach to dealing with the radiological and chemical risks associated with NORM residues. (author)