Speaker
Description
Developing policies, strategies and an adequate regulatory framework for NORM residue management is a challenge for many countries, including Brazil. Industries that generate NORM residue must undertake actions aimed at recycling and reusing materials, whenever possible, or for disposal when no further use of waste is foreseen. To make the circular economy a feasible option to the industries it is necessary to have an appropriate regulation considering the principles of sustainability. The new updated Brazilian Basic Safety Standard, currently in final stages of approval, took an important step in this direction. The regulation was reviewed focusing on a dose criterion to be met for exemption and/or clearance of such materials in specific cases encouraging recycling and reuse solutions or disposal in conventional landfills. Based on Brazilian BSS, NORM related industries are considered Existing Exposure Situations and depending on the characteristics of the NORM residues and the associated levels of risk, a graded approach based on the 1mSv/y dose criterion was considered to define different levels of regulatory control. Although classified as existing exposure situation, regulatory requirements foreseen for the planned exposure situation can also be applied.
