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Relative radiological risks derived from different TENORM wastes in Malaysia
B Ismail1, I L Teng, Y Muhammad Samudi
1School of Applied Physics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia. ismailb@ukm.my
Radiation Protection Dosimetry
|January 27, 2011
Summary
Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) wastes from Malaysia
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Radiological Science
- Waste Management
Background:
- Industries in Malaysia, such as oil and gas and mineral processing, generate significant volumes of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) wastes.
- Common TENORM wastes include tin tailings, tin slag, gypsum, and oil sludge, posing potential radiological concerns.
- Authorities require assessments of radiological risks associated with these waste disposal sites for worker safety and future land use development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the radiological risks for workers and the public at TENORM waste disposal sites in Malaysia.
- To evaluate radiation hazard magnitude, effective dose rates, and excess cancer risks.
- To determine the suitability of these sites for future land use.
Main Methods:
- Utilized RESRAD 6.4 computer code to estimate effective dose rates and excess cancer risks.
- Collected activity concentration data for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) from the Atomic Energy Licensing Board, Malaysia.
- Analyzed data on TENORM wastes including tin tailing, tin slag, gypsum, and oil sludge.
Main Results:
- Total activity concentrations (TAC) in TENORM wastes varied widely.
- Except for tin slag and tin tailing, most TENORM wastes showed TAC comparable to Malaysian soil.
- Occupational effective dose rates were below the 20 mSv y(-1) limit; excess cancer risk was estimated at 2.77×10(-3) risk per mSv.
- Effective dose rates for residents on gypsum and oil sludge landfills were below public limits and comparable to ordinary soils; excess cancer risk was 3.19×10(-3) risk per mSv.
Conclusions:
- Gypsum and oil sludge-based TENORM wastes demonstrate radiological safety for future land use.
- These specific TENORM wastes can be exempted from strict radiological regulatory control.
- The study provides crucial data for informed waste management and land-use planning in Malaysia.
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