Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM)

Over the years there have been many occasions when it was asserted that coal-fired power stations emitted more radioactivity (from NORM) than was released anywhere in the nuclear fuel cycle. While having some basis in fact the claim is generally not correct now. Today the contention regarding NORM tends to be in relation to steel and other materials released from demolished industrial facilities, and whether the clearance level for this should be at or below naturally-occurring levels.