Extent of environmental contamination by naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) and technological options for mitigation

The IAEA attaches great importance to the dissemination of information that can assist Member States with the development, implementation, maintenance and continuous improvement of systems, programmes and activities that support the nuclear fuel cycle and nuclear applications, including the legacy of past practices and accidents. In keeping with this, the IAEA has initiated a comprehensive programme of work covering all aspects of environmental remediation: Factors important for formulating strategies and selecting technologies for environmental remediation; Site characterization techniques and strategies; Assessment of remediation technologies; Assessment of technical options for cleanup of contaminated media; Post-restoration compliance monitoring; Remediation of low level dispersed radioactive contamination in the environment. However, radioactive residues are found not only in fuel cycle activities, but also in a range of other industrial activities, namely: Mining and milling of metalliferous and non-metallic ores; Production of non-nuclear fuels, including coal, oil and gas; Extraction and purification of water, for example for the generation of geothermal energy, as drinking and industrial process water, and in paper and pulp manufacture; Production of industrial minerals, including phosphate, clay and building materials; Use of radionuclides, such as thorium, for properties other than their radioactivity. Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) may be present in these activities and may lead to exposures at some stage of the processes and in the use or reuse of products, residues or wastes. The present publication attempts to give an international overview of the relevant processes, the types of residues and wastes generated, and the pertinent management strategies and technologies, with a view to identifying shortcomings that may lead to the need for remediation. An overview of applicable abatement and remediation technologies and strategies is given, together with a brief discussion of the possible socioeconomic impact. The intention is to help Member States gain perspectives regarding the industrial processes that may lead to NORM generation and where, within those processes, NORM can accumulate and eventually may lead to increased potential for exposure of the general public to radioactivity. It is also hoped to make decision makers in radiation protection aware of the industrial and socioeconomic implications of their decisions. Furthermore, it is hoped that this report will help to identify those process steps that are amenable to improved radiation protection and the type of residue and waste and the associated disposal sites that may be of concern and in need of remediation