FW: Confusion over application of European regulation of NORM

["Abelquist, Eric" <ABELQUIE@ORAU.GOV>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From:	Abelquist, Eric 
> Sent:	Thursday, March 11, 1999 6:20 AM
> To:	'RADSAFE'
> Subject:	Confusion over application of European regulation of NORM
> 
> Earlier this week there was discussion concerning the current regulations
> applicable for NORM.  Two limits were presented based on the nature of the
> material:  500 Bq/g and 100 Bq/g.  My question pertains to how the limit
> is applied: (1)  Is the limit applicable to the parent radionuclide in
> equilibrium with its progeny, so that each member in the chain could have
> that limiting concentration? or (2) Is the limit applicable to the sum of
> all radionuclide concentrations in the chain? 
> 
> There appeared to be two different conclusions given, as reproduced below:
> 
> Nick Tsurikov wrote [appears to support (2) above] :
> To the best of my knowledge, the current regulations applicable  for NORM
> in
> The Netherlands are as follows:
> PROCESSING: 
> 100 Bq/g of the mother-nuclide in secular equilibrium with the daughters.
> If one of the daughters is enriched that number must be added.
> 
> Gert Jonkers wrote [appears to support (1) above]:
> 
> For the computation of the total activity the following 'conservative'
> rules applies, if e.g. a material contains 5 Bq[U-238], 5 Bq[Th-232] and 5
> Bq[K-40] per gram, its total activity concentration would be
> 5 times 14 (# of member of U-238 series) + 5 times 10 (# members of Th-232
> series) + 5 = 125 Bq[total]/g = 'radioactive'
> 
> Any clarification on this matter would be appreciated.
> 
> Regards
> Eric
> 
> Eric W. Abelquist
> ORISE
> P.O. Box 117
> Oak Ridge,TN 37831
> Tel (423) 576-3740
> FAX (423) 241-3497
> Email: abelquie@orau.gov 
> 
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