Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM) Training Summary
Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors Annual Meeting
May 8, 2017
The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) held a four-hour long training on the topic of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM) at its annual meeting in Scottsdale, Arizona, on the afternoon of May 8, 2017. This training was held in part to fulfill the CRCPD’s commitment to the Practical Arrangement with the International Atomic Energy Agency.
TENORM is inconsistently regulated domestically and world-wide. The purpose of the training was to explain what TENORM is, what factors and issues are involved with its regulation, and what efforts are underway regarding its regulation. Approximately 50 people attended the training. The following is a summary of the training. Copies of the Agenda and PowerPoint presentations are attached hereto. The PowerPoint presentations numbered sequentially in the order they were presented and have the presenter’s name in the title.
The first speaker was Jared Thompson, CRCPD Chairperson, who gave an overview of the CRCPD’s E-42 Task Force Report entitled “Review of TENORM in the Oil and Gas Industry” (June 2015). This report focused on changes in TENORM issues since 2003, especially hydraulic fracturing.
The second speaker was Jizeng Ma, with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Mr. Ma described the IAEA’s program on occupational protection in NORM industries.
The third speaker was Ruth McBurney, Executive Director of CRCPD and Board Member of the National Council on Radiation Protection (NCRP). Ms. McBurney described the work of NCRP’s Scientific Committee 5-2, which is developing a commentary on TENORM in the Oil and Gas Industry.
The fourth speaker was Ed Bailey, Chair of the CRCPD’s E-45 Committee on TENORM. Mr. Bailey described some of the history of TENORM and Naturally Occurring and Accelerator Produced Radioactive Material (NARM) regulations and the situations and industries that inspired those regulatory efforts.
The fifth speaker was Phil Egidi, with the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). He gave an overview of specific industrial activities that generate TENORM, and described some of the challenges associated with each.
The training then had a panel discussion with panel members:
Gary Forsee, Chair of the CRCPD’s SSR-N Committee (Suggested State Regulations Part N “Regulation and Licensing of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM)”
Ruth McBurney, Executive Director of the CRCPD, and Board Member of the NCRP
Jizeng Ma, IAEA
Ed Bailey, Chair, CRCPD E-45 Committee on TENORM
Phil Egidi, EPA
The panel discussion opened with Mr. Foresee presenting a brief overview of the CRCPD’s Suggested State Regulations Part N (Regulation and Licensing of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material. Then the panel fielded questions from the audience.
The seventh speaker was Phil Egidi, EPA, describing the EPA’s efforts regarding TENORM.
The eighth speaker was Jim Grice, State of Colorado. Mr. Grice described the State of Colorado’s on-going effort to allow some TENORM to be disposed of in hazardous or municipal solid waste landfills while keeping the dose to the public below 25 mrem annually.
The ninth speaker was Joe Weismann, US Ecology. Mr. Weismann described US Ecology’s licensed radioactive waste disposal sites and the types and activities of waste that can be accepted for disposal by US Ecology.
To conclude the training, representatives of several states gave short summaries of their state’s efforts to regulate TENORM:
Dale Patrick, North Dakota
Mike Snee and Chuck McCracken, Ohio
Gary Forsee, Illinois
Dave Allard, Pennsylvania