What's New?
.	HPS and CRCPD Proclaim 8-14 November 2009 as National Radiation Protection Professionals Week
.	November Newsletter
.	NRC Academic Program Nuclear Education Grants, FY2010, Now Accepting Applications
.	November ORS
.	November Journal
.	EPA's STAR Graduate and GRO Undergraduate Fellowship Funding Now Accepting Applications

Upcoming Events
.	2010 HPS Midyear Topical Meeting Radiation Risk Communication to the Public 24-27 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM
.	2010 HPS Professional Development School Radiation Risk Communication: Issues and Solutions 27-29 January 2010 Albuquerque, NM

07 November 2009

Answer to Question #247 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Environmental and Background Radiation — Building and Construction Material

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

Are you aware of naturally occurring radioactive materials or elevated radiation levels in fire brick? Are there any special disposal requirements for NORM such as fire brick?

There are several reports available which describe naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in fire brick. The Conference of Radiation Control Program Directors (CRCPD) Report #3, "Report of the E-4 Committee on NORM Contamination and Decontamination/Decommissioning," is an excellent reference document that describes potential NORM issues in various materials and industries including fire brick. The report describes how NORM is concentrated and deposited and provides estimates of possible radiation exposures. It also discusses appropriate control and disposal methods applicable to fire brick as well as many other forms of NORM contaminants. The CRCPD also has published "Suggested State Regulations for the Control of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM)." This document provides more detail about the regulatory aspects (including disposal) of such material. These documents can be obtained from the Office of the Executive Director of the CRCPD in Frankfort, Kentucky, by calling 502-227-4543 or by emailing Bruce Hirschler at bhirschler@crcpd.org.

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