Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM):
All materials in air, water, soil, plants and even the bodies of living things contain radioactive material called Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM). Concentrated or increased NORM occurs through the processing of mining materials, coal combustion, etc., referred to as Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM). TENORM is also referred to as Low Specific Activity (LSA). In 1904, TENORM was identified for the first time in the Canadian oil and gas industry and in 1980 a study of the TENORM radiological aspects was conducted in the north sea oil field and it was concluded that TENORM has the potential for radiological impacts on workers and the environment, if not properly managed.
Radionuclides in TENORM are products of decay process of U-238, Th-232 and K-40.
Generally, natural radionuclides in NORM consist of U-238, Th-232, Th-228, Ra-226, Ra-228, Rn-222 , Rn-220, Pb-210 and Po-210. Radon (Rn-222) and thoron (Rn-220) in form of gas and they are emitters of alpha particles.
Industries, which are potentially as TENORM sources and their radionuclides content.
- Phosphat fertilizer: U-238, U-234, Th-230, Ra-226, Pb-210 and Po-210.
- Coal power plant: U-238, U-234, Th-230, Th-232, Th-228, Ra-226, Ra-228, Pb-210 and Po-210.
- Oil and gas: Th-228, Ra-226, Ra-228, Rn-222.
- Drink water from deep drilled natural water sources: U-238, U-234, Th-232, Th-228, Ra-226, Ra-228, Pb-210 and Po-210.
- Metal ore mining: U-238, U-234, Th-230, Th-232, Th-228, Ra-226, Ra-228, Pb-210 and Po-210.
- Geothermal power plant: Ra-226, Rn-222, Pb-210 and Po-210.