How does scrap metal become contaminated?
The United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) describes the three ways radioactively contaminated scrap is produced: • Discrete radioactive sources may be mixed with scrap when they escape from regulatory control by being abandoned, lost, or stolen. • Uncontrolled material contaminated with natural or man-made radionuclides from industrial processes may enter the scrap stream. • Example 1:. Pipe scale from oil and gas drilling that contains naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM). As the oil or gas is pumped from the ground, radionuclides and other minerals from the surrounding soil and water are deposited in pipes or equipment. This material may not be under regulatory control in the first place. • Example 2: Material improperly released from the nuclear industry that was contaminated with man-made radionuclides above regulated limits.
