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| NEWS AND INFORMATION |
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| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 33
| Issue : 3 | Page : 155 |
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News and Information
Pushparaja
Editor, Radiation Protection and Environment; C/o Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085, India
| Date of Web Publication | 22-Oct-2011 |
Correspondence Address:
Pushparaja
Editor, Radiation Protection and Environment; C/o Radiation Safety Systems Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai, 400085
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
How to cite this article:
Pushparaja. News and Information. Radiat Prot Environ 2010;33:155 |
| ICRP Draft Report For Consultation - Radiological Protection In Geological Disposal of Long-Lived Solid Radioactive Waste | |  |
This ICRP draft report "Radiological Protection in Geological Disposal of Long-lived Solid Radioactive Waste" updates and consolidates previous recommendations of ICRP related to solid waste disposal (Publications 46, 77, 81). The recommendations given in this report apply specifically to geological disposal of long-lived solid radioactive waste. The report explains how the 2007 ICRP System of Radiological Protection described in ICRP Publication 103 can be applied in the context of the geological disposal of long-lived solid radioactive waste.
The report describes the different stages in the lifetime of a geological disposal facility and addresses the application of relevant radiological protection principles for each stage depending on the various exposure situations that can be encountered. The report is now available for public consultation. ICRP welcomes comments from individuals and groups. The draft document can be downloaded, and comments submitted, through the ICRP website. Comments must be submitted no later than November 4, 2011 (source: ICRP News).
| NORM Management | | |
NORM received global attention during the last two decades. The acronym NORM means all Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials. Humans are continuously exposed to these materials such as potassium-40, uranium, thorium and their daughter products present in our environment. Sometimes, human activities such as uranium mining, phosphate mining, copper mines, oil exploration, etc. enhance the NORM concentration, which increases the potential of exposures of population groups to the radiation. The important decay products of concern are Radium-226 from uranium series and Radium-228 from thorium series and the radioactive gaseous decay products, Radon-222 and Radon-220, respectively.
Hence, it is important that the concentration of NORM is measured in suspected industrial activities and take appropriate measures to protect the workers and the environment. The industrial activities which generate NORM waste should be regulated to prevent environmental hazard from the disposal of the waste. Many countries are already aware of the issue and have initiated remedial measures to control occupational exposures and to ensure environmental safety.
In uranium mining, the radiation exposure hazards, both internal and external, are well investigated and the activities are regulated. Radiation levels due to NORM are measured at the work sites. GM detectors or scintillation detectors are used for the NORM survey. Whenever necessary, personnel monitoring is used for measuring and personal protective equipments are used for controlling the radiation exposure of the workers. Thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLDs) are used to measure personnel exposures, and Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNDT) is used to assess internal dose due to exposure to radon and its particulate daughters. The workers are provided with Personal Protective Equipments (PPEs) such as respirators (dust/gas), gloves, overalls, goggles, appropriate shoes, etc.
The NORM issue in other mining operations is yet to be addressed. Above all, the workers should be made aware of the possible exposures to NORM, so that they follow proper and safe work procedures for the NORM management and to ensure environmental safety.
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