Advancements in NORM metrology – Results and impact of the European joint research project MetroNORM

Maringer, Franz Josef; Baumgartner, Andreas; Cardellini, F.; Cassette, P.; Crespo, Teresa; Dean, J C J; Wiedner, Hannah; Hůlka, Jiřı́; Hult, M.; Jerome, S.M.; Kabrt, Franz; Kovář, Petr; Larijani, C.; Lutter, G.; Marouli, M.; Mauring, Alexander; Mazanova, Monika; Michalik, B.; Michielsen, N.; Peyrés, V.; Pierre, Sylvie; Pöllänen, R; Pommé, S.; Reis, Mário; Stietka, Michael; Szücs, László; Vodenik, B.

doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.02.040

Cited by 11 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…For example, publications of the group of researchers gathered under the Cost Action-Norm. They provide extensive database which is formed as a tool for radiological assessment of building materials [ 69 , 70 , 71 , 72 , 73 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Cements Used as Building Materials in Poland

Lewicka

Piotrowska

Łukaszek-Chmielewska

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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It has been analyzed in this article the radioactivity concentrations of 226Ra, 232Th, 40K and radiological hazard parameters in different types of cements commonly used in Poland and available on the Polish market. The radiological hazard parameters are, in particular, absorbed gamma dose rate, annual effective dose, radium equivalent activity, the external hazard index, and the gamma and alpha indices. The radionuclide activities of the most important radionuclides 226Ra, 232Th, 40K have been determined by gamma-ray spectrometry with the use of two kinds of spectrometers of different operational parameters. One performed also measurements on 30-day and 45-day aged samples as to verify if there is a statistically significant difference in radioactivity concentration for shorter and longer aging time. The radioactivity concentrations in the cement samples ranged from 21.7–75.7 Bq·kg−1 for 226Ra, 12.3–47.3 Bq·kg−1 for 232Th to 123–430 Bq·kg−1 for 40K. The radiological parameters in cement samples were calculated as follows: mean radium equivalent activity Raeq = 127 Bq·kg−1, mean absorbed gamma dose rate D = 115 nGy·h−1, mean annual effective dose E = 570 µSv·y−1, external hazard index Hex = 0.32, internal hazard index Hin = 0.51, mean activity concentration index Iγ = 0.47 and mean alpha index Iα = 0.28. The results were compared with the reported data from other countries and the international standard values given by European Commission (EC) and United Nations Scientific Committee on the Effects of Atomic Radiation (UNSCEAR 2000). Finally, thorough statistical analysis has been performed.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Cements Used as Building Materials in Poland

Lewicka

Piotrowska

Łukaszek-Chmielewska

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…The lack of suitable reference materials in the NORM industries is a significant issue [2,[7][8][9][10][11][12], which also makes initial validation of procedures challenging. Candidate reference soil and sediment materials from British Geological Survey (BGS) were digested using lithium borate fusion and the concentration of 232 Th and 238 U calculated and compared with the reference values as an initial validation of the method.…”

Section: Characterisation Of Reference Materials For Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materialsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Additionally, the accurate characterisation of radionuclides is reliant on measurement of certified reference materials (CRM) that ensure quality control and metrological traceability through method validation and calibration of instruments [7]. Owing to the wide range of sample types across industrial sectors, the current lack of CRM is a significant constraint [2,[7][8][9][10][11][12].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Automation of fusion has addressed the safety issues associated with manually adding and removing crucibles from a furnace; however, there are also disadvantages and challenges associated with fusion approaches. Fusion is generally more labour-intensive than leaching, with lower sample sizes (typically 0.5-5 g [1,10,30,31]). Large quantities of the flux relative to the sample size are generally required to decompose most matrices, often several times the sample weight [10,30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Fusion is generally more labour-intensive than leaching, with lower sample sizes (typically 0.5-5 g [1,10,30,31]). Large quantities of the flux relative to the sample size are generally required to decompose most matrices, often several times the sample weight [10,30]. Furthermore, the aqueous solutions resulting from the fusions can have a high salt content, which may lead to difficulties in subsequent steps of the analysis such as chromatographic separation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Complete dissolution of solid matrices using automated borate fusion in support of nuclear decommissioning and production of reference materials

Braysher

Russell

Woods

et al. 2019

J Radioanal Nucl Chem

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Accurate measurement of natural and anthropogenic radionuclide concentrations is of critical importance to end users in the nuclear sector to ensure correct classification prior to storage, recycling, reprocessing or disposal. Uncertainties in the characterisation of solid matrices and materials could lead to safety, quality and financial implications. Robust sample preparation methods are vital, in particular effective sample digestion, as under-estimated chemical yield recovery results in a corresponding under-estimation of activity levels. Borate fusion has been proven to effectively digest a range of complex sample matrices in the geosciences but is not used routinely elsewhere. In this study, we describe an automated procedure for borate fusion of multiple matrices encountered in nuclear decommissioning, containing diverse radionuclides over a range of activity concentrations. The impact of digestion flux, sample mass and sample to flux ratios are described, as well as the subsequent separation and measurement techniques. The results contribute to accurate and precise measurement of radionuclides in various matrices, as well as to characterisation of reference materials, providing greater confidence in nuclear industry programmes worldwide.

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Evaluation of uncertainties in environmental impact assessment of naturally occurring radiation exposure situations on example of undisturbed and legacy NORM sites in the Fen Complex, Norway

Skipperud

2020

Environ Monit Assess

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Advancements in NORM metrology – Results and impact of the European joint research project MetroNORM

Cited by 11 publications

References 25 publications

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Cements Used as Building Materials in Poland

Assessment of Natural Radioactivity in Cements Used as Building Materials in Poland

Complete dissolution of solid matrices using automated borate fusion in support of nuclear decommissioning and production of reference materials

Evaluation of uncertainties in environmental impact assessment of naturally occurring radiation exposure situations on example of undisturbed and legacy NORM sites in the Fen Complex, Norway

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