Overview Of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material From The Contemporary Oil And Gas Industry

The Natural Radiation Environment Symposium (NRE VII), the Seventh in the NRE series, which commenced forty years ago in 1963 at Rice University Texas, was held in Rhodes (Greece) in May 2002. During the intervening four decades the research work presented at these NRE Symposia has contributed to a deeper understanding of natural radiation and in particular of its contribution to human radiation exposures. It is clear from the quality and diversity of the 143 papers in this volume of Radioactivity in the Environment series that the study of the natural radiation environment is an active and continually expanding field of research. The papers in this volume fall into a number of main and topical research areas namely: the measurement and behaviour of natural radionuclides in the environment cosmic radiation measurement and dosimetry the external penetrating radiation field at ground level TENR (Technologically Enhanced Natural Radiation) and NORM (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials) studies assessment of the health effects of radon regulatory aspects of natural radiation exposures In these papers the results of many new surveys of natural radionuclide levels in the environment and of improved methods of detection are described. While some of the natural radiation sources investigated are unmodified by human activity, many accounts are given here of exposures to natural sources which have been enhanced by technology. Such TENR and NORM exposures are shown to range from activities such as mining, oil and gas exploitation, the use of industrial by-products as building materials, to space travel to name but a few. In several cases quite high doses to some individuals are shown to occur. Accounts are given here of methods to prevent and reduce exposures to such sources.

A guide to environmental and communication issues related to fracking and the best approach to protect communities Environmental Considerations Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing Operations offers a much-needed resource that explores the complex challenges of fracking by providing an understanding of the environmental and communication issues that are inherent with hydraulic fracturing. The book balances the current scientific knowledge with the uncertainty and risks associated with hydraulic fracking. In addition, the authors offer targeted approaches for helping to keep communities safe. The authors include an overview of the historical development of hydraulic fracturing and the technology currently employed. The book also explores the risk, prevention, and mitigation factors that are associated with fracturing. The authors also include legal cases, regulatory issues, and data on the cost of recovery. The volume presents audit checklists for gathering critical information and documentation to support the reliability of the current environmental conditions related to fracking operations and the impact fracking can have on a community. This vital resource: Contains the technical information and mitigation recommendations for safety and environmental issues related to hydraulic fracturing Offers an historical overview of conventional and unconventional oil and gas drilling Explains the geologic and technical issues associated with fracking of tight sand and shale formulations Presents numerous case studies from the United States EPA and other agencies Discusses issues of co-produced waste water and induced seismicity from the injection of wastewater Written for environmental scientists, geologists, engineers, regulators, city planners, attorneys, foresters, wildlife biologists, and others, Environmental Considerations Associated with Hydraulic Fracturing Operations offers a comprehensive resource to the complex environmental and communication issues related to fracking.

"All minerals and raw materials contain radionuclides of natural origin. For most human activities involving minerals and raw materials, the levels of exposure to these radionuclides are not significantly greater than normal background levels. However, certain work activities can give rise to significantly enhanced exposures that may need to be controlled by regulation. Material giving rise to these enhanced exposures has become known as naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). Historically, most regulatory attention has been focused on the mining and processing of uranium ore, because such activities are a direct consequence of the radioactivity in the ore and form part of the nuclear fuel cycle. Over the past decade or two, however, more and more countries have introduced measures to regulate exposures arising from a wider range of natural sources. The NORM VI symposium ... provided an important opportunity to review the developments that had taken place during the three year period since the NORM V symposium in 2007. This period, which began with the publication of new radiation protection recommendations by the International Commission on Radiological Protection, was characterized by ongoing activities to revise international standards on radiation protection and safety. These Proceedings contain all 38 papers accepted for oral presentation and four rapporteur reports, as well as a summary that concludes with the main findings of the symposium."--Page 4 of cover.

Among the topics addressed at NORM IV were exposure to radionuclides of natural origin in mining and other industrial operations involving NORM (including environmental impacts), standards and regulation, and measurement techniques including measurement of radon.

The aim of radiation protection standards is to make the radiation workplace as safe as is humanly possible. The gradual evolution over the last 20 years has been towards a more precise definition of the limits for occupational exposure. These have been created not only in terms of short-term effects but also more importantly in terms of long-term risks involving such problems as the potential for carcinogenesis and genetic change. In the United States the National Committee for Radiation Protection has recom mended that 5 rems (50 mSv) should remain as the maximum permissible dose equiva lent for total body exposure. This would represent the sum of internal and external ex posure and should be regarded as the upper limit allowed. The community of radiation users is required to conduct its operations in such a man ner that the absolute value of the individual's dose equivalent in rems does not exceed his age in years. There should be additional limits for tissues and organs based on short term effects. Therefore, individual organs are limited to dose equivalents low enough to ensure that the dose threshold values are not exceeded.