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Naturally occurring radioactive material

Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) is material found in the environment that contains radioactive elements of natural origin. NORM primarily contains uranium and thorium (elements that also release radium and radon gas once they begin to decay) and potassium. These elements are naturally decaying and are considered a primary contributor to an individual's yearly background radiation dose.

Pipeline contaminated with NORM

Pipeline contaminated with NORM
(Photo courtesy of Tervita Corporation)

Where can NORM be found?

NORM is often found in its natural state in rocks or sand. It can also be associated with oil and gas production residue (such as mineral scale in pipes, sludge and contaminated equipment), coal ash (produced from burning coal for energy production) and on filter media (such as the used filters from municipal drinking water treatment equipment). NORM can also be present in consumer products, including common building products (like brick and cement blocks), granite counter tops, glazed tiles, phosphate fertilizers and tobacco products.

Some industries may regularly come into contact with NORM – for instance, those engaged in the production of oil and gas, phosphate fertilizers, forest products and thermal electricity; mineral extraction and processing; tunneling and underground workings; metal recycling; waste management; and water treatment.

Did you know?

  • NORM is material naturally found in the environment that contains radioactive elements.
  • The handling and disposal of NORM within Canada is regulated by the provincial and territorial governments.
  • The transport, import and export of NORM must follow Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulations.
  • NORM-contaminated equipment and waste should only be handled by a person with appropriate radiation training.

How is NORM regulated?

In Canada, NORM is regulated by the provincial and territorial governments, each having its own specific regulations on the handling and disposal of the material. The Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials have been developed by the Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee (FPtrPC) to harmonize standards throughout the country and ensure appropriate control over NORM; however, provincial regulations should also be consulted.

NORM is exempt from the application of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and its regulations except under the following circumstances:

How is NORM detected?

Survey meter detecting NORM in the sludge of a contaminated vac truck

Survey meter detecting NORM in the sludge of a contaminated vac truck
(Photo courtesy of Tervita Corporation)

Natural background radiation comes from the ground, building materials, air, food and cosmic rays. Depending on where you live, levels of this type of radiation can vary. Radiation readings above typical background radiation levels may indicate the presence of NORM. Determining the type of material present is essential to assess what, if any, precautions need to be taken with the material. This process is called characterization. Radiation surveys used for characterization should be conducted by personnel trained in radiation safety or by external consultants to determine if the suspect material is NORM or man-made radioactive material.

How should NORM be handled?

Although concentrations of NORM are usually quite low and the risk is minimal, safe handling of the material is important since higher concentrations of NORM can result when the material is processed. This is often referred to as technologically enhanced NORM, or TENORM.

Because specific safety measures may be required to protect workers who handle NORM-contaminated equipment or NORM waste, NORM should only be handled by a person with appropriate radiation safety training and training in the precautions for hazardous industrial substances.

Best practices for individuals and facilities encountering NORM include:

  • providing training and procedures to staff where there is the possibility of encountering NORM
  • not eating, drinking or smoking in areas where the presence of NORM is a possibility
  • storing NORM and any contaminated materials (including clothing) and waste in a designated area with access limited to authorized personnel
  • minimizing operations that may generate dust containing NORM (e.g., cutting, grinding or polishing)
  • minimizing the time spent in NORM-contaminated work areas and storage areas
  • maximizing the distance from the source when handling or storing NORM
  • using appropriate shielding to minimize dose rates from the material if warranted
  • disposing of NORM-contaminated materials efficiently, to avoid stockpiling the material

Other (or more involved) measures should only be considered under the direction of personnel trained in radiation safety, specialized in the handling and disposal of NORM. Precautions can include:

Pipeline cleaning

Pipeline cleaning
(Photo courtesy of Tervita Corporation)

  • decontaminating equipment that has been exposed to NORM prior to disposal
  • using personal protective equipment, including non-porous coveralls, boots and gloves, and protective eyewear and respirators, depending on the situation
  • ensuring that pipes are sealed and ground covers are used, to prevent environmental contamination
  • preventing dust inhalation, by keeping NORM materials damp with water
  • ensuring that all workers are checked for any contamination with NORM before leaving the work area
  • evaluating and decontaminating areas of potential NORM contamination by using high pressure washing or high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter vacuuming

How do I dispose of NORM?

NORM-contaminated waste should not go to a regular landfill if it exceeds release limits published in the Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials. It should be disposed of at a facility authorized to accept contaminated materials.

In Canada, there are three provincially licensed facilities available specifically for NORM disposal:

Additional provincial regulatory limits may also exist for the disposal of NORM waste. An assessment by personnel qualified to determine disposal options should be considered.

Who to contact for additional information?

For additional information on NORM and to inquire about its safe handling and disposal, please consult the list of provincial contacts below. Additionally, a list of NORM consultants can be found by doing an Internet search, or by visiting the business directory of the Canadian Radiation Protection Association Web site.

Additional resources

Provincial contacts

Alberta

  • Mark Rice
    Department of Labour and Immigration
    780-415-2400

British Columbia

  • Colin Murray,
    WorkSafeBC
    604-786-0254

Manitoba

  • Azeez Omotayo
    CancerCare Manitoba
    204-787-2304

Newfoundland and Labrador

  • Nancy Hounsell,
    709-729-4450
  • Joan Hann,
    The Department of Environment and Climate Change
    709-729-1771
  • Marie Ryan,
    The Department of Environment and Climate Change
    709-729-1810

Northwest Territories and Nunavut

  • Gerald Enns,
    Government of the Northwest Territories
    867-920-8044
  • Judy Kainz,
    Workers' Safety & Compensation Commission
    867-669-4418

Nova Scotia

  • Colleen Rodgerson,
    Nova Scotia Department of Labour and Advanced Education
    902-424-7115

Ontario

  • Operational Issues, Ministry of Environment
    416-326-6700
  • Ministry of Labour
    1-877-202-0008
  • Lothar Doehler, Ministry of Labour (occupational exposure)
    416-235-5765

Prince Edward Island

  • Todd Fraser,
    Department of Environment, Labour and Justice
    902-368-5037

Québec

  • Hugues Ouellette,
    Ministère du Développement durable, de l'Environnement de la Faune et des Parcs
    418-521-3950, ext. 4925

Radon-specific questions:

  • Jean-Claude Dessau,
    Comité intersectoriel québécois sur le radon, Ministère de la santé et des services sociaux

Saskatchewan

  • Sarah Keith,
    Ministry of the Environment
    306-953-3477
  • Tim Moulding,
    Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment

Yukon Territory

  • Robert Rees,
    Workers' Compensation Health and Safety Board
    867-332-1064

For more information, contact the CNSC.

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