Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in energy production sectors: exposure, effective doses and regulatory challenges
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: The oil and gas industry, coal mining, and coal-fired power plants, as well as geothermal energy plants, have been investigated in the past with respect to various aspects of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM). However, existing assessments are usually highly specific and often inconclusive due to differing perspectives, and an overview of NORM issues across these energy sectors is still missing. The European data collected within the international RadoNorm project, and presented in this paper, have made it possible to identify common denominators related to the primordial source of radiation risk in these industrial sectors. Depending on the technological processes, radionuclides of natural origin (e.g., 226,228 Ra, 228 Th, 222 Rn, 210 Pb, 210 Po, from 238 U and 232 Th decay chains) were found in a range of materials, such as scales, sludges, produced water, and liquid and gaseous discharges. Both radionuclides and materials may follow different pathways, leading to radiation exposure doses in various exposure scenarios for workers, the public, and the environment. The novelty of this paper lies in the comparative qualitative and quantitative evaluation of radiation protection aspects across the entire sequence of energy generating processes, which includes the sourcing of raw materials, NORM generating processes, their fate and potential risks to humans and the environment, as well as a comparison of management, regulatory control, and existing challenges. The presented findings will support future international harmonization of decision-making processes during industrial operations, decommissioning activities or at legacy sites, which are often encountered in these energy generation sectors. Moreover, this information will be particularly valuable for countries worldwide that are still in the initial phase of NORM inventory characterization and/or legislation development.
Source: Environment International
Authors: Jelena Mrdakovic Popic, Nathalie Vanhoudt, Gennaro Venoso, Federica Leonardi, Hallvard Haanes, Alla Dvorzhak, Cristina Nuccetelli, Rosabianca Trevisi, Raffaella Ugolini, Flavio Trotti, Almudena Real, Danyl Pérez-Sánchez, Alicia Escribano, Joana Lourenco, Ruth Pereira, Laureline Fevrier, Boguslaw Michalik
Institutions: Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione Contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro, Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas, Agenzia Regionale per la Prevenzione e Protezione Ambientale del Veneto, University of Aveiro, Universidade do Porto, Centro de Investigação em Produção Agroalimentar Sustentável, Autorité de sûreté nucléaire et de radioprotection, Central Mining Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,750
Funders: Ministerstwo Edukacji i Nauki, Norges Forskningsråd, Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Centro de Estudos Ambientais e Marinhos, Universidade de Aveiro, Euratom Research and Training Programme, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, H2020 Euratom
Awards: G1024812812, G1169335522, G1397148809, G1548236187, G1690109813, G2149047050, G2219685250, G253812421, G2736865772, G306962499, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, G3534458110, G3590225727, G3783317134, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, G4090066734, G4100379140, G4517594230, G471092553, G5454278309, Towards effective radiation protection based on improved scientific evidence and social considerations - focus on radon and NORM, G6226094141, G6341029978, G637424667, G670901311, G6860305239, G7184583013, G7475600479, G7665809008, Centro de Estudos do Ambiente e do Mar, G8805872440
OpenAlex ID: W4416589781