NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material), is material found in the environment that contains radioactive elements of natural origin.
It primarily contains uranium and thorium (elements that also release radium and radon gas once they begin to decay) and potassium.
NORM can come to the earth’s surface due to natural processes (radon gas moving through cracks in rocks or dissolving and being transported by groundwater flows), or due to human activities (mining, oil and gas extraction, etc.).
Although the concentration of NORM in most natural substances is low, higher concentrations may arise as a result of human activities.
The processing of raw materials by many resource-based industries may increase the concentration of radioactive substances in those materials to levels at which special precautions are needed for handling, storing, transporting, and disposal of material, by-products, end-products or process equipment.
Why is NORM a hazardous substance?
NORM is considered a hazardous substance due to the harmful effects it has on human health and the environment.
Those effects are produced by the radioactivity that NORM intrinsically has.
The primary health risk of concern when dealing with this type of waste is the potential for developing cancer, as the ionizing radiation that it emits is a known carcinogen.
An increase in exposure to ionizing radiation results in an increase in the risk of developing cancer.
Regarding the environment, radiation coming from NORM can contaminate ground and water for a long time.
This situation will produce disastrous effects on animals and plants that live in or around the contaminated areas.
Where can NORM be found?
In its natural state, in the environment, NORM is often found in rocks or sand.
Although, as has been explained before, these wastes case also arise as the result of human activities, being found in the following industries:
- Oil and gas production
- Thermal Electricity
- Mineral extraction and processing
- Tunnelling and underground workings
- Metal recycling
- Waste management
- Water treatment
Moreover, NORM can also be present in consumer pro- ducts, including common building products (like brick and cement blocks), granite countertops, glazed tiles, phosphate fertilizers, forest products and tobacco products.
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This article can be found in the 2021 edition of the document. Find the full publication here:
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