Natural radioactivity in aerosols collected in a NORM industry: Radiological implications

Abstract

On the frame of a broad project devoted to the evaluation of the occupational and environmental radiological impact of several NORM industries located at the South-West Spain, a study determining the U-series radionuclides levels in air particulate matter has been accomplished inside a phosphate rock processing plant dedicated to phosphoric acid production. U-series radionuclides concentrations in aerosols collected inside this plant have been determined and compared with those obtained in aerosols collected from a reference monitoring station not affected by NORM industries or other anthropogenic inputs. Additionally, based on the observed increments in the volumetric concentrations of the radionuclides from the U-series in the plant, the increase in the occupational doses due to inhalation for their workers has been estimated. Even under conservative assumptions, the dose enhancements are clearly below 1 mSv/year, the annual limit for the public. © 2009 EDP Sciences.