Systematic approach to characterisation of NORM in Thailand.
The aim of this article is to provide information on the systematic approach that has been developed for the measurement of natural radiation exposure and the characterisation of naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) in terms of occurrence and distribution in various industrial processes, including the produced waste from the mineral industries in Thailand. The approach can be adapted for various types of study areas. The importance of collaboration among research institutions is discussed. Some developments include 25 documents; the redesign of the field equipment, such as the gamma survey meter, for convenient access to conduct measurement in various study areas; the method to collect and analyse radon gas from a natural gas pipeline and the manganese dioxide fibre to adsorb radium on-site for laboratory analysis. The NORM project in Thailand has been carried out for more than 10 y to support the development of NORM regulation in Thailand. In the previous studies as well as current, international standards for action levels have been adopted for safety purpose.
Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand supitcha.c@chula.ac.th.
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Chanyotha
Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Kranrod
Department of Nuclear Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
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Pengvanich
D000465:Algorithms; D001417:Background Radiation; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D000069079:Radiation Exposure / Q000032:analysis*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000592:standards*; D011868:Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis*; D013048:Specimen Handling / Q000592:standards*; D013785:Thailand
D011868:Radioisotopes