Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Construction

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Construction (COST Action NORM4Building) discusses the depletion of energy resources and raw materials and its huge impact not only on the building market, but also in the development of new synthetic building materials, whereby the reuse of various (waste) residue streams becomes a necessity.

It is based on the outcome of COST Action TU 1301, where scientists, regulators, and representatives from industry have come together to present new findings, sharing knowledge, experiences, and technologies to stimulate research on the reuse of residues containing enhanced concentrates of natural radionuclides (NORM) in tailor-made building materials.

Chapters address legislative issues, measurement, and assessment of building materials, physical and chemical aspects, from raw materials, to residues with enhanced concentrations of natural radionuclides (NORM), processes, building products containing NORM, and end-of-life and reuse requirements.

• Presents a holistic approach in developing new reuse pathways involving experts on different (technical, chemical, physical, ecological, economical and radiological) aspects of materials
• Provides practical guidance that address questions and comments regarding the EU-BSS standards linked to the processing of NORM in building materials
• Investigates realistic legislative scenarios
• Primarily aimed at industry and actors linked to the industry, but also researchers
• Contains a strong international network of expert authors and internal reviewers for each chapter

NORM processing companies including factories that produce and use NORM, those working in the building materials industry and construction sector, researchers, local and national legislators, governments and international agencies such as WHO and IAEA, institutes of standardization

1. Objectivves
2. Introduction
3. Basic Aspects on Natural Radioactivity
4. Legislative Aspects
5. Measurement of NORM
6. From Raw Materials to NORM Containing By-Products
7. From NORM Containing By-Products to Building Materials
8. Leaching Assessment as a Component of Environmental Safety and Durability Analyses for NORM Containing Building Materials
9. Non-Technical Aspects that Influence the Reuse of NORM in the Construction Industry
10. General Conclusion and the Way Forward