An overview of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in the petroleum industry
Oil and gas extraction and processing operations sometimes accumulate naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) at concentrations above normal in by-product waste streams. Results from NORM surveys indicate that radionuclide concentrations can be quite variable, ranging from undetectable to extremely high levels. To date, efforts to characterize the geographic distribution of NORM have been limited by poor statistical representation. In addition, the fate of NORM in the environment has not been fully defined, and few human health risk assessment have been conducted. Both the petroleum industry and regulators are becoming increasingly concerned about the presence of NORM. At present, most existing federal environmental regulations do not address oil and gas NORM, and only a few states have developed regulatory programs. Available data suggest that the occurrence of NORM (and associated health risks) is significant enough to warrant increased regulatory control. However, before these regulations can be developed, additional research is needed to (1) better characterize the occurrence and distribution of NORM throughout the industry, (2) quantify hazards posed by NORM to industry workers and the general public, and (3) develop effective waste treatment and minimization technologies that will lower the risk associated with NORM and reduce disposal costs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab., IL (United States). Environmental Assessment and Information Sciences Div.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- W-31109-ENG-38
- OSTI ID:
- 6594778
- Report Number(s):
- ANL/EAIS-7; ON: DE93011795
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
03 NATURAL GAS
EQUIPMENT
CONTAMINATION
NATURAL GAS INDUSTRY
WASTES
PETROLEUM INDUSTRY
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
NATURAL OCCURRENCE
SLUDGES
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
WASTE WATER
DEPOSITS
HEALTH HAZARDS
LEAD 210
RADON 226
RADON 228
RISK ASSESSMENT
SCALE CONTROL
WASTE PROCESSING
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
BETA-MINUS DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CONTROL
EVEN-EVEN NUCLEI
HAZARDS
HEAVY NUCLEI
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
ISOTOPES
LEAD ISOTOPES
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PROCESSING
RADIOISOTOPES
RADON ISOTOPES
SECONDS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER
YEARS LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
020800* - Petroleum- Waste Management
020600 - Petroleum- Health & Safety
030700 - Natural Gas- Waste Management
030500 - Natural Gas- Health & Safety