Environmental modelling of NORM

¹ ARPANSA, 619 Lower Plenty Road, Yallambie, 3085 Victoria, Australia
² Westlakes Scientific Consulting Ltd., The Princess Royal Building, Westlakes Science and Technology Park, Moor Row, Cumbria CA24 3LN, UK
³ Argonne National Laboratory, 9700 South Cass Avenue, 60439 Argonne, Illinois, USA
⁴ Greek Atomic Energy Commission, Patriarxou Grigoriou & Neapoleos, PO Box 60092, 15310 Agia Paraskevi, Athens, Greece
⁵ U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., 20460 Washington DC, USA
⁶ State Office for Nuclear Safety (SUJB), Senovazne Namesti 9, 110 00 Prague 1, Czech Republic
⁷ División de Protección Radiológia (Ed. 3, Pl. 0, Des. 18), CIEMAT, Avenida COmplutense 22, 28040 Madrid, Spain
⁸ Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST), Al-Jadrya, PO Box 0765, Baghdad, Iraq
⁹ Waste Safety Division, Division of Radiation, Transport & Waste Safety, IAEA, Vienna Internationsal Centre, Wagramer Strasse 5, PO Box 100, 1400 Vienna, Austria
¹⁰ Studiezentrum für Kernenergie (SCK/CEN), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
¹¹ Autoridad Regulatoria Nuclear (ARN), Av. Del Libertador 8250, Capital Federal, 1429 Buenos Aires, Argentina
¹² National Centre of Radiobiology and Radiation Protection, 132 St. Kliment Ochridski Blvd., 1756 Sofia, Bulgaria

Abstract

Within the IAEA EMRAS programme, a working group was established to look at the modelling of naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) in a variety of environments. There are many models already available. However, guidance on how and when to apply specific models is lacking in many cases. Development of models has often been carried out without a clear understanding of the possible applications of the models. Some models have been developed only for specific applications in specific industries, and are not generally useful. The work carried out during this program has resulted in the identification of several important issues that require consideration in the selection and utilization of computer models for NORM risk assessment. These issues discussed below cover suitability, selection, use and misuse of available models, as well as training and guidance for modelers, and acquisition of data for model inputs.