Towards a new guidance for establishing a NORM inventory

Abstract

Introduction The identification of NORM related problems is a starting point for setting up good work and management procedures in IAEA member states. In some countries information and experiences related to NORM or the management of NORM in specific industrial sectors are not readily available. To which extend NORM related problems are present, the main issues that need resolving and the type of approach that is suitable in a country specific situation are often unclear.

Methodology A new guidance document on ’how to build a NORM inventory’ is being developed in the framework of the IAEA Environet NORM project. While the main NORM sectors are given in Safety Report No. 49, the new guidance document aims to provide a user friendly methodology in order to enable member states to step-by-step build an inventory for these industrial sectors.

Results The new guidance document encompasses the experience of several IAEA member states where over several decades a NORM Inventories was build. The developed guidance targets both operating industrial sites and legacy sites. The guidance provides a strategy for radiological and non-radiological data collection, sampling, and the filling of information gaps. The guidance also deals with challenges linked to the absence of resources for making a NORM inventory (for example related to the available measurement methods). Key aspects of the used methodology flow chart will be discussed via worldwide case studies from different industrial sectors (zircon and zirconia industry, phosphate industry, oil & gas industry and rare earth processing).

Conclusion The detailed approach of the new NORM inventories guidance document is demonstrated. From the participants of the international NORM IX symposium feedback is requested to further strengthen the guidance document that aims to support comprehensive national-level policy development in order to support safeguarded, effective and inexpensive NORM, waste and residue management.

Acknowledgement The work presented here is the work of task group 2 on NORM Inventories of the IAEA Environment NORM project and the support of all contributing task group members is acknowledged.