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 environmentalradiological impact of several NORM industries located at the South-West Spain, a study determiningthe U-series radionuclides levels in air particulate matter has been accomplished inside a phosphate rockprocessing plant dedicated to phosphoric acid production. U-series radionuclides concentrations in aerosolscollected inside this plant have been determined and compared with those obtained in aerosols collectedfrom 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 fromthe U-series in the plant, the increase in the occupational doses due to inhalation for their workers has beenestimated. Even under conservative assumptions, the dose enhancements are clearly below 1 mSv/year, theannual limit for the public.