Recommended citation
ICRP, 2019. Radiological protection from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in industrial processes. ICRP Publication 142. Ann. ICRP 48(4).
Authors on behalf of ICRP
J-F. Lecomte, P. Shaw, A. Liland, M. Markkanen, P. Egidi, S. Andresz, J. Mrdakovic-Popic, F. Liu, D. da Costa Lauria, H.B. Okyar, P.P. Haridasan, S. Mundigl
Abstract - The purpose of this publication is to provide guidance on radiological protection in industries involving naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). These industries may give rise to multiple hazards and the radiological hazard is not necessarily dominant. The industries are diverse and may involve exposure of people and the environment where protective actions need to be considered. In some cases, there is a potential for significant routine exposure of workers and members of the public if suitable control measures are not considered. Releases of large volumes of NORM may also result in detrimental effects on the environment from radiological and non-radiological constituents. However, NORM industries present no real prospect of a radiological emergency leading to tissue reactions or immediate danger for life. Radiological protection in industries involving NORM can be appropriately addressed on the basis of the principles of justification of the actions taken and optimisation of protection using reference levels. An integrated and graded approach is recommended for the protection of workers, the public, and the environment, where consideration of non-radiological hazards is integrated with radiological hazards, and the approach to protection is optimised (graded) so that the use of various radiological protection programme elements is consistent with the hazards while not imposing unnecessary burdens. For workers, the approach starts with characterisation of the exposure situation, and integration, as necessary, of specific radiological protective actions to complement the protection strategy already in place or planned to manage other workplace hazards. According to the characteristics of the exposure situation and the magnitude of the hazards, a relevant reference level should be selected and appropriate collective or individual protective actions taken. Exposure to radon is also treated using a graded approach, based first on application of typical radon prevention and mitigation techniques, as described in Publication 126. A similar approach should be implemented for public exposure through the control of discharges, wastes, and residues after characterisation of the situation. If the protection of non-human species is warranted, it should be dealt with after an assessment of radiological exposure appropriate for the circumstances, taking into account all hazards and impacts. This should include identification of exposed organisms in the environment, and use relevant derived consideration reference levels to inform decisions on options for control of exposure.
© 2019 ICRP. Published by SAGE
Keywords: Radiological protection; NORM; optimisation; integrated approach; graded approach.
Key Points
Exposures resulting from industrial activities involving naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) are controllable, with protection achieved through justification of taking protective actions and optimisation of protection.
NORM presents no real prospect of a radiological emergency leading to tissue reactions or immediate danger to life; actions to protect workers and the public should consider long-term external exposure, intake of radioactive material, and radon or thoron inhalation.
An integrated and graded approach is recommended for the protection of workers, the public, and the environment, including characterisation of the exposure situation, and optimisation of radiological protective actions to complement the protection strategy already in place or planned to manage other hazards.
Reference levels (excluding exposure to radon and thoron) for the protection of workers should reflect the distribution of exposures and would, in the majority of cases, be less than a few mSv annual effective dose. Very rarely would it be expected that a value exceeding 10 mSv annual effective dose would be necessary.
Reference levels for protection of the public should reflect the distribution of exposures, and would generally be less than a few mSv annual effective dose.
Radon and thoron exposures should be managed using a graded approach, first relying on radon prevention and mitigation measures in the building, as recommended in Publication 126 (ICRP, 2014b).
Executive Summary: Not included in this publication
ICRP, 2019. Radiological protection from naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in industrial processes. ICRP Publication 142. Ann. ICRP 48(4).
Authors on behalf of ICRP
J-F. Lecomte, P. Shaw, A. Liland, M. Markkanen, P. Egidi, S. Andresz, J. Mrdakovic-Popic, F. Liu, D. da Costa Lauria, H.B. Okyar, P.P. Haridasan, S. Mundigl
Abstract - The purpose of this publication is to provide guidance on radiological protection in industries involving naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). These industries may give rise to multiple hazards and the radiological hazard is not necessarily dominant. The industries are diverse and may involve exposure of people and the environment where protective actions need to be considered. In some cases, there is a potential for significant routine exposure of workers and members of the public if suitable control measures are not considered. Releases of large volumes of NORM may also result in detrimental effects on the environment from radiological and non-radiological constituents. However, NORM industries present no real prospect of a radiological emergency leading to tissue reactions or immediate danger for life. Radiological protection in industries involving NORM can be appropriately addressed on the basis of the principles of justification of the actions taken and optimisation of protection using reference levels. An integrated and graded approach is recommended for the protection of workers, the public, and the environment, where consideration of non-radiological hazards is integrated with radiological hazards, and the approach to protection is optimised (graded) so that the use of various radiological protection programme elements is consistent with the hazards while not imposing unnecessary burdens. For workers, the approach starts with characterisation of the exposure situation, and integration, as necessary, of specific radiological protective actions to complement the protection strategy already in place or planned to manage other workplace hazards. According to the characteristics of the exposure situation and the magnitude of the hazards, a relevant reference level should be selected and appropriate collective or individual protective actions taken. Exposure to radon is also treated using a graded approach, based first on application of typical radon prevention and mitigation techniques, as described in Publication 126. A similar approach should be implemented for public exposure through the control of discharges, wastes, and residues after characterisation of the situation. If the protection of non-human species is warranted, it should be dealt with after an assessment of radiological exposure appropriate for the circumstances, taking into account all hazards and impacts. This should include identification of exposed organisms in the environment, and use relevant derived consideration reference levels to inform decisions on options for control of exposure.
© 2019 ICRP. Published by SAGE
Keywords: Radiological protection; NORM; optimisation; integrated approach; graded approach.
Key Points
Exposures resulting from industrial activities involving naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) are controllable, with protection achieved through justification of taking protective actions and optimisation of protection.
NORM presents no real prospect of a radiological emergency leading to tissue reactions or immediate danger to life; actions to protect workers and the public should consider long-term external exposure, intake of radioactive material, and radon or thoron inhalation.
An integrated and graded approach is recommended for the protection of workers, the public, and the environment, including characterisation of the exposure situation, and optimisation of radiological protective actions to complement the protection strategy already in place or planned to manage other hazards.
Reference levels (excluding exposure to radon and thoron) for the protection of workers should reflect the distribution of exposures and would, in the majority of cases, be less than a few mSv annual effective dose. Very rarely would it be expected that a value exceeding 10 mSv annual effective dose would be necessary.
Reference levels for protection of the public should reflect the distribution of exposures, and would generally be less than a few mSv annual effective dose.
Radon and thoron exposures should be managed using a graded approach, first relying on radon prevention and mitigation measures in the building, as recommended in Publication 126 (ICRP, 2014b).
Executive Summary: Not included in this publication
