TENORM

NORM is an internationally adopted acronym for Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material while TENORM stands for Technologically-Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material. 

Birky, B.K., Tolaymat, T., Warren, B.C. (1998). Evaluation of Exposure to Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) in the Phosphate Industry. Florida, USA Florida Institute of Phosphate Research. 

EPA, 2013. Geothermal Energy Production Wastes Radiation Protection US EPA [Online]. Available http // www.epa.gov/radiation/tenorm/geothermal.html. 

Where the concentration of the radioactive materials has been increased during processing, the term Technologically Enhanced NORM (TENORM) is sometimes used. For example, during drilling, the produced fluids can contain radioactive materials such as Radium 226 and Radium 228. As these fluids approach the surface, changes in temperature and pressure cause barium and radium sulfates to precipitate out of solution and form scale on the inside, and sometimes on the outside, of the tubulars. 

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