Solid Waste Containing Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material: December 2017 Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials Report

The Association of State and Territorial Solid Waste Management Officials (“ASTSWMO”) issued a December 2017 report titled:

Waste Generation and Disposal: Awareness, Management, and Disposal Guidance for Solid Waste Containing Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (“Report”)

The Report was prepared by the organization’s Radiation Task Force – Materials Management Subcommittee.

As the Report notes, natural radioactivity is present in trace amounts in the earth’s crust and waters.

The Report addresses technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (“TENORM”). These materials may be generated by industrial processes that utilize or come in contact with natural raw materials such as water, soils, rock, or reused feedstocks from other waste streams.

By way of introduction the Report notes that waste containing TENORM:

• Can present health and safety hazards to humans and the environment if not handled and disposed of properly
• The inadvertent generation disposal of afew TENORM waste streams are federally regulated
• The applicable state laws and regulations governing the generation, handling, and disposal of TENORM can vary

The Report addresses in significant detail the following topics:

• TENORM waste generators
• Waste management options
• Lack of federal standards
• Management issues
• Tools for disposal for facilities accepting TENORM
• Dose assessments and disposal case studies

The appendices include:

• Select Radiation Definitions
• Radiation Alarm Flowchart
• TENORM Waste and Coal Combustion for Energy Generation
• TENORM Waste in Oil and Gas Production Industries
• TENORM Waste in Paper and Pulp Production Facilities
• TENORM Waste in Phosphate Fertilizer and Phosphorus Production
• TENORM Waste in Sewage Treatment Plants
• TENORM in Florida Zircon Sand and Flour

ASTSWMO describes itself as an organization representing 50 states, five territories, and the District of Columbia, whose mission is to enhance and promote effective state and territorial programs and to affect relevant national policies for waste and materials management, environmentally sustainable practices, and environmental restoration.

A link to the Report can be found here.