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Radiological implications of NORM in the production of rare-earth compounds

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 June 2009

J. Barescut ,
P. P. Haridasan ,
P. M.B. Pillai ,
R. M. Tripathi  and
V. D. Puranik
P. P. Haridasan
Affiliation:
Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Health Physics Unit, IREL, Udyogamandal, Kerala 683 501, India
P. M.B. Pillai
Affiliation:
Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Health Physics Unit, IREL, Udyogamandal, Kerala 683 501, India
R. M. Tripathi
Affiliation:
Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Health Physics Unit, IREL, Udyogamandal, Kerala 683 501, India
V. D. Puranik
Affiliation:
Environmental Assessment Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Health Physics Unit, IREL, Udyogamandal, Kerala 683 501, India
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Abstract

The composite rare earth chloride produced from monazite contain low levels of natural radionuclides and is being used as the input material for the production of individual rare earth compounds which have wide applications. Gross alpha, beta and 228Ra activity concentrations in composite rare earth chloride and individual rare earth compounds such as oxides of Ce, Nd, Pr, Sm, Gd etc are presented. The significant radionuclide of environmental concern is identified as 228Ra and the activity level varied between 0.1 and 7.8 Bq.g-1 in different compounds. Sporadic 228Ra levels up to 16 Bq.g-1 was observed in Lanthanum oxide. The external gamma exposure rates and airborne activity due to thorium and thoron progeny in the process locations are studied. The activity levels in liquid effluent and potential exposure scenarios are indicated.

Type
Research Article
Information
Radioprotection , Volume 44 , Issue 5: ECORAD 2008 - Radioecology and Environmental Radioactivity , 2009 , pp. 1 - 4
Copyright
© EDP Sciences, 2009

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References

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