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. 2025 Mar;64(1):99-103.
doi: 10.1007/s00411-024-01100-4. Epub 2024 Dec 18.

An activity concentration-based proposal for radon management in workplaces involving NORM in Canada

Jing Chen #  1 , Debora Quayle #  2
Affiliations

An activity concentration-based proposal for radon management in workplaces involving NORM in Canada

Jing Chen et al. Radiat Environ Biophys. 2025 Mar.

Abstract

The Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) have been developed to manage radiation doses received in workplaces involving NORM, such as mineral extraction and processing, oil and gas production, metal recycling or water treatment facilities. This management strategy works well for most naturally occurring radioactive materials in workplaces, with the exception of radon. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas generated by the decay of uranium-bearing minerals in rocks and soils. Because radon exists everywhere in varying concentrations, it is not feasible to use incremental radon generated or enhanced by a practice as a means for assessing the need for radon management programs. Drawing from lessons learned through implementing the current NORM Guidelines, we propose decoupling the decision thresholds for NORM management (excluding radon) and radon management so that the two are considered separately, and quantifying decision-points for managing occupational radon exposure as average annual activity concentrations, with no requirement for dose calculations. Proposed application of this approach in the updated Canadian NORM Guidelines is described.

Keywords: NORM industry; Radon management; Rn-222.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests. Conflict of interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
NORM management flowchart for workers. The circled A is the connection point to Periodic Review
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Radon management flowchart
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Health Canada (2007) Government of Canada radon guideline. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/environmental-workplace-.... Accessed 25 Oct. 2022
    1. Health Canada (2011) Canadian guidelines for the management of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), Prepared by the Canadian NORM working group of the. Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee, Ottawa
    1. International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) (2014) Radiological protection against radon exposure. ICRP Publication 126 Ann ICRP 43(3) - PubMed
    1. United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR) (2020) UNSCEAR 2019 Report, Annex B– Lung cancer from exposure to radon. United Nations, New York
    1. World Health Organization (WHO) (2009) WHO handbook on indoor radon. Geneva

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