16 N AT I O N A L I N V E N T O R Y O F R A D I O A C T I V E M AT E R I A L S A N D W A S T E
SPECIAL CASES
WASTE CONTAINING NATURALLY
OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL
Waste containing Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material
(NORM) is generated by the use or processing of raw materials
that contain naturally occurring radionuclides but are not used
for their radioactive properties. In this case it is categorised as
low-level or even very low-level long-lived waste.
These radionuclides may be found in materials or waste and
require special management.
The naturally occurring radionuclides taken into account for
NORM waste are within the uranium-238, thorium-232 and
potassium-40 decay chains found in materials used in industrial
processes. These processes can concentrate or enhance
the radioactivity naturally present in some products used,
particularly in the residues they generate.
This waste consists mainly of waste from the chemical or
metallurgy industries (phosphate fertilisers, rare earth elements,
zircon sand, etc.).
The Circular of 25 July 2006 provides for specific management
1
of this category of waste in a conventional waste disposal facility,
under strict conditions.
Examples of this might be the disposal of waste from the
demolition of old factories, equipment or process residues.
Management regulations for NORM waste will be completely
overhauled by French Decree 2018-434 of 4 June 20182,
which took effect on 1 July 2018. It transposes the provisions
EU Council Directive 2013/59/Euratom of 5 December 2013
laying down basic safety standards for protection against
the dangers arising from exposure to ionising radiation.
1 Circular of 25 July 2006 on classified facilities - Acceptance of waste containing technologically enhanced or concentrated radioactive material in waste disposal facilities.
2 Decree 2018-434 of 4 June 2018 concerning various nuclear-related measures.
WASTE WITHOUT A SPECIFIC
DISPOSAL SOLUTION
It is sometimes impossible to classify certain types of waste in
a particular category, either because they cannot be handled
using existing management solutions in view of some of their
characteristics, and especially their chemical characteristics,
or because treatment or conditioning processes are not available
or particularly complex to develop, given the sometimes small
quantities involved.
Examples include some oils and certain organic liquids that
cannot be incinerated, or waste containing mercury.
The development and implementation of treatment processes for
this kind of waste is monitored under the National Radioactive
Materials and Waste Management Plan (PNGMDR). Most waste
without a specific disposal solution is stored on the site where it
was produced. It is indexed in the National Inventory.
LEGACY DISPOSAL OF WASTE
In the past, some types of radioactive waste were managed
using methods that have since changed.
This waste was disposed of on site or near nuclear facilities,
in conventional waste disposal facilities, at former or operational
industrial sites or facilities or near these sites, or dumped at sea.
RESIDUES LEFT OVER
FROM URANIUM MINES;
Mining waste listed in the National Inventory is usually VLLW
or LLW-LL and is disposed of on or near former mining sites
(see Chapter 4).