storing NORM and any contaminated materials (including clothing) and waste in a designated area with access limited to authorized personnel.not eating, drinking or smoking in areas where the presence of NORM is a possibility.providing training and procedures to staff where there is the possibility of encountering NORM.This is often referred to as technologically enhanced NORM, or TENORM.īecause specific safety measures may be required to protect workers who handle NORM-contaminated equipment or NORM waste, NORM should only be handled by a person with appropriate radiation safety training and training in the precautions for hazardous industrial substances.īest practices for individuals and facilities encountering NORM include: How should NORM be handled?Īlthough concentrations of NORM are usually quite low and the risk is minimal, safe handling of the material is important since higher concentrations of NORM can result when the material is processed.

Radiation surveys used for characterization should be conducted by personnel trained in radiation safety or by external consultants to determine if the suspect material is NORM or man-made radioactive material. Determining the type of material present is essential to assess what, if any, precautions need to be taken with the material. Radiation readings above typical background radiation levels may indicate the presence of NORM. Depending on where you live, levels of this type of radiation can vary. Natural background radiation comes from the ground, building materials, air, food and cosmic rays. Survey meter detecting NORM in the sludge of a contaminated vac truck Contact the CNSC if you require information on the transport of NORM above the limit specified the transport of NORM when the specific activity is greater than 70 Bq/g (70 kBq/kg) as set out in the Packaging and Transport of Nuclear Substance Regulations and Transport of Dangerous Goods Regulations.when NORM is imported into Canada or exported from Canada as set out in the Nuclear Non-proliferation Import and Export Control Regulations.

when NORM is associated with the development, production or use of nuclear energy as set out in the General Nuclear Safety and Control Regulations.NORM is exempt from the application of the Nuclear Safety and Control Act and its regulations except under the following circumstances: The Canadian Guidelines for the Management of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials have been developed by the Federal Provincial Territorial Radiation Protection Committee (FPtrPC) to harmonize standards throughout the country and ensure appropriate control over NORM however, provincial regulations should also be consulted.

In Canada, NORM is regulated by the provincial and territorial governments, each having its own specific regulations on the handling and disposal of the material.

NORM-contaminated equipment and waste should only be handled by a person with appropriate radiation training.

The transport, import and export of NORM must follow Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) regulations.

The handling and disposal of NORM within Canada is regulated by the provincial and territorial governments.

NORM is material naturally found in the environment that contains radioactive elements.

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