Radiological protection and the public – NORM and communicating the risks

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) is a complex area, covering a range of industries and practices that do not normally associate with radioactivity. In these industries and practices, risks need to be managed in perspective in order to ensure that appropriate resources are allocated to the right risks. However, due to the perceptions already associated with the term ‘radioactivity’ and the uncertainty in the international approach to NORM, there are many practical difficulties. In recognition of the widespread difficulties with management of NORM, in 2019, the IRPA Executive established a task group (TG), with the aim of providing advice, guidance and assistance for the everyday practitioner on NORM in industry. The TG has brought together some of the world's leading experts in the area of NORM, and one of the key objectives of the TG is to produce a clear and simple handbook for practitioners. While this work is progressing, the TG has also been considering its role in providing international guidance on NORM and in providing input to the upcoming review of the ICRP system of protection and to provide practical thoughts to improve the ICRP system of protection.