NORM waste disposal options in the Philippines

The paper presents the Philippine experience with respect to managing naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) solid waste produced by the Philippine phosphate, and electricity generating industries using coal and geothermal energy. The main residues in these NORM industries are phosphogypsum, fly ash and bottom ash and scales respectively, are either reused or they are disposed of. The disposal of NORM waste is a major concern when considering radiation protection in the field of NORM. This requires information on the radioactivity of the relevant waste to be disposed and its disposal methods. The practical experience gained in disposal of technology-enhanced NORM waste and the NORM industry most likely needing regulatory considerations were discussed in the study