"Regenwormen maken dus voedingsstoffen voor planten vrij. De vraag is of deze dieren ook de verspreiding van NORM-materialen en metalen, en hun opname in de vegetatie beïnvloeden." ... Nathalie Vanhoudt
The researchers at SCK CEN talk about NORM materials and metals. “Some soils may have a mix of contaminants: natural radionuclides on the one hand and chemicals on the other. We will develop a new model to evaluate the cumulative risk to animal populations. The model studies, among other things, the effects of radioactivity and chemical toxicity on the reproductive system and DNA repair system of small mammals,” says Jordi Vives i Batlle.
Furthermore, SCK CEN will make an inventory of two NORM sites on Belgian soil, which will later be included in an overview of existing NORM sites at a European level. “This provides the opportunity to identify scientific and policy challenges related to the most relevant NORM exposure scenarios,” concludes Dr. Nathalie Vanhoudt.
What is radon?
One of the decay products of uranium 238 is the radioactive noble gas radon. In Belgium, radon is found underground in various quantities, depending on the geological characteristics of the soil. Out in the open, radon rapidly vanishes. In a closed space however, such as a house or a workplace, the concentration can quickly rise. When radon is inhaled, it gets inside the lungs and irradiates the lung tissue. This can lead to damage to the lung tissue and eventually to cancer.
What is NORM?
Raw materials extracted from the earth usually contain low concentrations of natural radionuclides such as uranium and thorium. Materials with high concentrations of natural radionuclides are often called NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) or TeNORM (Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials).
When these raw materials are used in industrial processes, by-products and residues with elevated concentrations may be formed. Some examples of this are so-called ‘slags’, a glass or metal residue stream resulting from metal smelting, certain ashes released during coal combustion, phosphorus gypsum resulting from fertilizer production and red mud, a by-product of aluminium production. Human activity (such as mining of NORM materials) can increase exposition to this natural radioactivity. Some NORM residues are even reused as building materials. The FANC has defined acceptance criteria as well as control and follow-up methods for these flows of NORM residues. These criteria make it possible to control and limit the radiological impact of the management of NORM residues.
More information
About the project: European website
About indoor radon exposure: website FANC
About ordering radon tests: actionradon.be
About NORM: website FANC
About the involvement of the Universities of Hasselt and Antwerp: press release Hasselt University
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