NORM Levels from welling operations

[Ruth Vandegrift <Ruth_Vandegrift@health.ohio.gov>]

     This is a forwarded message to RADSAFE from Ron Goodwin.


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Subject: NORM Levels from welling operations
Author:  Ronald Goodwin at ODH-OMIS
Date:    5/9/96 8:28 AM


     Jay, I am not sure there is such a thing as typical NORM levels for 
     welling operations.
     
     This contaminant is very area dependent, and may very quite a bit even 
     with a specific geological area, ie. the hills of Texas (Austin and 
     San Antonio) are more NORM contaminated than eastern Texas which is 
     less contaminated than south Louisiana, which is more contaminated 
     than the hills of Mississippi (eastern area) which is more 
     contaminated that southern Ohio which is less contaminated than the 
     northern counties.  See what I mean.
     
     Each state that controls NORM in welling operations, and there are not 
     that many, set their own control limits.  For example, AL is currently 
     redrafting their NORM regulations, with no timetable for adoption; AK 
     has not regulations for control of NORM; AZ controls all ram, including 
     NORM under general radiation regulations; AK has proposed that 
     equipment contaminated with NORM above 50 microrem/hr be controlled; CA 
     has not released any NORM regulations; CO is under lawsuit by 
     Envirocare of UT over disposal of some radioactive waste sent to a 
     solid waste landfill (The crux of this lawsuit is Envirocare felt this 
     was cutting into their business!); CT (Gov.) asked that proposed regs 
     on NORM be placed on hold, then reversed and asked that DEP start 
     redrafting NORM regs; DE, FL, HI, ID, ILIN, IO, KA, KY, MN, MO, MN, NV, 
     NY, NC, ND, OR, PA, RI, SD, VT, and WY have not developed specific 
     rules for NORM.  All other states not listed in this list have some 
     control over NORM, from general registration of NORM sources to control 
     and licensing of NORM along with byproduct material, source material 
     and special nuclear material.
     
     If I may suggest contacting The NORM Report which is published 
     quarterly by Peter Gray & Associates, P.O.B. 470932, Tulsa, OK, 74147, 
     Tel. 918/492-5250 (Fax 492-4959) this is an excellent source of 
     reference for what is happening, including posted proposed NORM 
     regulations be each state.
     
     I hope this is somewhat helpful.  If I can provide any further 
     information, please contact me by e-mail at 
     Ronald_goodwin@health.ohoi.gov or call (614) 644-2727 M-F 8:00-5:00 
     EDST.
     
     Best regards, and peace,
     
     R. R. (Ron) Goodwin