Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) are ubiquitous in our environment, with their radioactivity stemming from the Earth's crust. Among them, there are long-lived radionuclides as U-238, Th-232 and their decay products and K-40. When human activities lead to the production of waste containing higher concentration of NORM than in nature, they become Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM). TENORM can be produced in several industries and processes worldwide. They can be waste from mineral mining and oil & gas production or residues from coal combustion in energy production. Even TENORM could come from water treatment and fertilizer production.

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White Mountain - a vast open-air storage site for phosphogypsum, a TENORM waste, near Voskresensk, Moscow Oblast, Russia.

It is essential to properly manage TENORM and assure that they can not pose risks to human health and the environment. To mitigate the risks associated with TENORM, countries and international organisations undertake various measures, including:

  • Regulation and Standards: Governments establish guidelines and standards to monitor and control TENORM in different industries. This ensures safe handling and disposal practices.
  • Research and Awareness: Scientists conduct research to better understand the behaviour and impact of TENORM, and public awareness campaigns educate people about potential risks.
  • International Collaboration: Nations collaborate to share knowledge and best practices for managing TENORM on a global scale.

Managing TENORM is of global significance, and through regulations, research, and awareness promotion, we can minimise its impact on human health and the environment. Responsible management and international cooperation are crucial for achieving a balance between technological progress and safety.