Problems of Radiation Medicine and Radiobiology

T. Pavlenko, N. Aksenov, M. Fryziuk

State Institution «O. M. Marzieiev Institute for Public Health of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine», 50 Popudrenko str., Kyiv, 02094, Ukraine

THE CONTENT OF NATURAL RADIONUCLIDES IN TECHNOLOGICAL RESIDUES OF UKRAINIAN INDUSTRIES

Objective: to assess the naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) content in industrial waste in Ukraine and assess which industries should be a subject for the regulatory oversight.
Methods. Sampling and analysis followed the same procedure in all cases. 250 samples were taken in total. Highresolution gamma spectrometry system ORTEK (US) with the high-purity germanium semiconductor detector (HPGe) were used for sample measurements. AMERSHAM (Germany) standard source was used for calibration of the gamma spectrometer. The estimated minimum detected activity for the measurement time of 3600 s was 0.5 Bq/kg for Thorium-232, and Radium-226 and 1.5 Bq/kg for Potassium-40.
Results. Industries with the potential NORM content in their waste were approached in this research. 32 enterprises were the subject for investigation. It has been established average content of NORM in waste iron ore enterprises varies from 210 to 100 Bq/kg, ²²⁶Ra – from 14 to 45 Bq/kg, ⁴⁰K – from 21 to 350 Bq/kg, ²³²Th – from 5 to 26 Bq/kg and 238U – from 19 to 48 Bq/kg. It was determined the content of NORM in waste is lower than the exemption levels. The average concentration of individual radionuclides does not exceed 10–20 Bq/kg. The assessment of the NORM average activity concentration in sludge and waste samples from different spots of the industrial site estimated that values may differ as much as 3 times, with average activity of 8,440 Bq/kg for ²²⁶Ra, 28,600 Bq/kg for ²³²Th, 11,000 Bq/kg for ²¹⁰Pb. The NORM level in pipe sediments and silts of oil exceed the established exemption levels and range as follows: ²¹⁰Pb 3–11 kBq/kg, ²²⁶Ra 2.9–8.4 kBq/kg, ²³²Th 0.8–2.8 kBq/kg, ²²⁶U 0.18–6.9 kBq/kg.
Conclusion. Monitoring of the NORM levels in wastes has identified the need to establish regulatory control and oversight of the oil industry in the country.
Key words: natural radioactivity, waste, sludge, pipe sediments, exemption level.

Problems of Radiation Medicine and Radiobiology.
2019;24:121-130. doi: 10.33145/2304-8336-2019-24-121-130

full text

1. Pavlenko TO. [Radiation and hygiene assessment of exposure of the Ukrainian population from the technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM)] [dissertation]. Kyiv: State institution "The Marzeev Institute of hygiene and medical ecology of the Academy of medical sciences of Ukraine"; 2010. 253 p. Ukrainian.

2. International Atomic Energy Agency. Radiation Protection and Safety of Radiation Sources: International Basic Safety Standards. Vienna: IAEA; 2014. 436 p. (General Safety Requirements; No. GSR Part 3).

3. International Atomic Energy Agency. Governmental, legal and regulatory framework for safety: general safety requirements. Vienna: IAEA; 2010. 40 p. (Safety Standards Series; No. GSR Part 1).

4. Effects of radiation on the environment. In: United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of atomic radiation. source and effects of ionizing radiation: UNSCEAR 2000. Report to the General Assembly with scientific annex. New York: UN; 2000. p. 84-156.

5. Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM VI). In: Proceedings of the Sixth International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material; 2010 22-26 March; Marrakesh, Morocco. Vienna: IAEA; 2011. 560 p.

6. Hilton J, Birky B, Moussaid M. Comprehensive Extraction: A Key Requirement for Social Licensing of NORM Industries? In: Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM VII): Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material; 2013 Apr 22-26; Beijing, China. Vienna: IAEA; 2015. p. 129-41.

7. Fan Z. Towards a Sustainable Solution to NORM Residue Management Safety. In: Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM VII): Proceedings of the 7th International Symposium on Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material; 2013 Apr 22-26; Beijing, China. Vienna: IAEA; 2015. p. 569-74.

8. Pires do Rio M, Amaral E, Fernandes H, Rochedo E. Environmental radiological impact associated with non-uranium mining industries: a proposal for screening criteria. J Environ Radioact. 2002;59(1):1-17.

9. Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013 Laying Down Basic Safety Standards for Protection against the Dangers Arising from Exposure to Ionising Radiation, and Repealing Directives 89/618/Euratom, 90/641/Euratom, 96/29/Euratom, 97/43/Euratom and 2003/122/Euratom. Official Journal of the European Union. 2014;57(L13). 73 p.

10. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine Ordinance: Approval of the SNRIU implementation plan of some EU legislation acts, 18.02.2015, N 110-p. Available from: http://zakon2.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/110-2015-%D1%80.

11. Pavlenko T, Aksyonov M, German O, Friziuk M, Fedorenko E, Mikhajlenko A. NORM assessment at gas and oil fields in Ukraine. In: Energy, environmental and structural engineering. Series N 25: Latest trends in energy, environment and development. Salerno: WSEAS Press; 2014. p. 213-6.