TENORM in Waste: Sources, Management Strategies, and Case Study

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) consists predominately of Uraniu-238 and Thorium-232 which were incorporated into the Earth during its formation. These both decay in a long chain (or series) of various radionuclides which are termed “progeny” that include Radium-226 and Radon- 222. With more and improved landfill and srcap yard portal monitors in place around the US, waste management and EHS professionals are increasingly confronted with waste material rejections due to radiation. Much of this rejected material contains above average amounts of NORM and can be classified as Technologically Enhanced NORM or TENORM. A review of key industrial sources of TENORM will enable EHS and HazMat managers to better understand the source of the problem. The development of natural gas wells in the Marcellus Shale is a recent case in point.

Once discovered, materials high in TENORM can be managed in a number of ways. Regulations are sparse. TENORM can be easily but expensively managed by Class A Low Level Radioactive Waste processor/disposal facilities. Several RCRA landfills are also permitted to accept NORM. And it is entirely appropriate in many cases to dispose of NORM in local Sub-title D landfills but this requires buy-in from operators and regulators. In one example over 12,000 tons of TENORM impacted soil was disposed in a local landfill after obtaining state approval, saving the site owner over $3M.