The large volumes of residues containing long lived naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) that were produced during history, and that continue to be produced, provide a challenge to waste managers and regulators alike. The industries and activities involving NORM are varied, ranging from (ore) mining and milling, to fuel production and use, including coal, oil and gas, to phosphate fertilizer production, to geothermal energy use and water treatment. Traditional radioactive management strategies and technologies often are not applicable and certain exposure pathways may be unavoidable. Because large quantities of long lived radionuclides are dispersed in large volumes of material, isolation and containment from the environment often is not feasible. In this context, the legacy wastes are a particular concern. On the other hand, observed doses to members of the public are sometimes high enough to be a regulatory concern. This is reflected, for instance, in recent guidance from the European Union on NORM. Hence, this indicates the need for international guidance.
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