Assessment of NORM
Australian Radiation Services Pty. Ltd. (ARS) has been renowned for the measurement of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in the environment for many years.
NORM levels vary worldwide. The United Kingdom is one land mass where high concentrations of NORM have been measured. Dwellings constructed from, or built on, soils that contain high levels of NORM can have increased radon gas levels as a consequence. NORM is also found in oil, gas and water during the drilling and processing of crude oil and natural gas.The identification and quantification of NORM assists in radiological risk assessment, leading to the development of safe work practices. Determination of NORM is also required to ensure compliance with State and Commonwealth Government statutes and regulations.
ARS maintains in-house and field monitoring equipment facilities to measure and assess NORM. Scenarios as varied as industrial waste assessment bound for landfill to public reassurance of low activity sources (i.e. smoke detectors) are regularly performed by ARS.
In 2008, ARS was instrumental in the detection, identification and remediation of a publicly sensitive NORM contaminated site in New South Wales.