Tenorm in oil,gas and mineral mining

The presence of naturally occurring radionuclides in the waste or by-products of some industrial processes has been known about for many years. At times use has actually been made of their presence to monitor what is going on in the process. Recently, much attention has been paid to the potential dose commitment from these radionuclides. Once the recommendations of ICRP 60 have been introduced, reducing maximum permissible doses, the potential problems from these radionuclides will be even greater. Not only will the doses to the workers in the different industries be of much greater importance, resulting in the introduction of protective working practices but the possible public does could have a significant impact on the process by limiting discharges. The sources of these radionuclides is described and a description given as to how they arise in the oil, gas and mineral mining industries. Activity levels measured in all three areas will be to illustrate how concentration of the radionuclides can take place through the production of oil and gas or processes following mineral mining. Activity concentrations approaching 10,000 Bq / g have been encountered in samples from one of these areas. Examples where unsupported levels of the lower members of the decay series provide severe problems is offered for explanation. The methods adopted in the restriction of radiation doses to workers is identified and the working practices described. The solutions adopted and proposed in different countries for the disposal of the resultant waste is outlined and their relative merits compared. Levels of naturally occurring radionuclides in the environment is shown and an assessment of the potential dose commitment toa critical group given.A comparison of the impact of natural and industrial sources is made showing that natural sources can, in some areas, provide at least as great a problem as industrial sources. Current research in Europe looking at the possible mechanism controlling the movement of these nuclides in the environment is outlined. (author). 1 fig., 7 tabs., 7 refs