Strengthening capacity on management of naturally occurring radioactive substances

Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material - Norm (Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material) appears in soil, sand, rocks, ores, minerals, titanium placers, coal, oil and gas... Although the radioactivity in Norm is low, through processing, the radioactivity of Norm can be enriched many times. In addition, the amount of Norm waste is very large, so management is quite complicated.

Experts in the energy sector believe that residues containing Norm, if not handled and monitored closely, will lead to uncontrolled environmental pollution impacts, leading to significant impacts on human health.

Realizing the necessity and urgency of safely managing materials containing Norm, the Ministry of Science and Technology issued Circular No. 08/2023/TT-BKHCN on National Technical Regulations on waste containing naturally occurring radionuclides. However, the issue of waste management containing Norm in Vietnam is relatively new.

Furthermore, Vietnam is still limited in terms of expertise and technology, and does not have much practical experience to fully and accurately assess the impacts of Norm residues in the mining industry in general and the titanium industry in particular. Therefore, Vietnam is promoting cooperation in Norm management.

The Ministry of Science and Technology and related Ministries such as Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade coordinate management in industries related to Norm so that Norm does not cause adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

According to statistics, Vietnam is one of the few countries in the world with large reserves of titanium resources. The potential for mining, processing and exporting titanium in Vietnam is high, so in the process of mining titanium ore in Vietnam, it is necessary to handle radioactive materials of natural origin.

To develop the titanium industry in a sustainable, economically efficient and environmentally safe manner, it is necessary to conduct investigations, surveys and assessments of the current situation, research, development and improvement of technology as well as occupational safety measures, prevention of adverse impacts on human health in the treatment of Norm residues, to ensure resource savings and reduce the rate of waste contaminated with Norm residues.

During the implementation process, cooperation with experienced domestic and international partners is required.

Currently, the Institute of Science, Technology and Environmental Management, the Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology, the Ho Chi Minh City Institute of Public Health and partners from the Federal Republic of Germany have implemented the project “RENO-TITAN.”

In addition, Vietnam implements the Protocol "Sustainable management and reuse of waste containing naturally occurring radioactive residues (Norm) from the titanium industry in Vietnam" approved by the Ministry of Science and Technology to provide a methodological foundation, scientific and technological basis to support the sustainable management, treatment and reuse of Norm waste in the titanium industry in Vietnam.

The Institute of Nuclear Science and Technology (Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute), one of the three coordinating units participating in the implementation, has a tradition, experience and capacity in conducting research and surveys in the field of radioactive and non-radioactive environment towards assessment, management, treatment and reuse of Norm waste.

At the end of April 2025, at the working session of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute with the University of Tokyo (Japan), Professor Takeshi Iimoto, Faculty of Environment, Health and Safety (University of Tokyo) shared international experiences in general as well as Japanese experiences in particular.

Professor Takeshi Iimoto shared about the characteristics of naturally occurring radioactive waste and radiation safety issues related to Norm and said that Japan pays great attention to how to manage the Norm environment. He believes that from Japan's experience, Vietnam will gain more experience in Norm management.

Natural stones containing Norm in mines. (Source: Ae-radioactive)

Also at the meeting, Dr. Pham Quang Minh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, reported on the updated "Safety regulations in the management of radioactive waste of natural origin - Norm," and shared about "Norm waste management at the Institute of Rare Radioactive Technology" in the past as well as strategies and orientations for Norm management in the coming time.

Dr. Pham Quang Minh highly appreciated the effective cooperation through the MEXT Nuclear Researchers Exchanging Program of Japan. Within the framework of the exchange program, the University of Tokyo has received staff and researchers from the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute to work and conduct research, contributing to promoting cooperation and improving capacity in the management of radioactive substances of natural origin./.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/nang-cao-nang-luc-ve-quan-ly-chat-phong-xa-co-nguon-goc-tu-nhien-post1037316.vnp