Rank: Super forum user 
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A client is proposing to use zircon flour in one of their processes; the fine powder contains about 0.04% uranium and thorium (and their daughter products) according to the MSDS. Will the Ionising Radiation Regs apply to the work?
LB
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Rank: Forum user
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I think you will find that Zircon falls under the heading of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) HSE have an advice note http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/guidance/ore1.pdf Although this was written for the Offshore Industry you may find it useful. HSE also have a web site covering NORM http://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/norm.htmThe Environment Agency will also have a view on the use of NORM particularly the disposal of any waste arising from there use. https://www.gov.uk/gover...-guidance-rsr-110909.pdfI will never give specific advice on the use of radioactive materials as I am no longer registered as a Radiation Protection Adviser and do not know the specific details of the process to be used The regulations are very clear and for the use of Radioactive Materials a RPA must be consulted. Most RPAs, these days, will also be qualified to give advice on the disposal of radioactive waste and the need to register. John
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Rank: Super forum user
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John
Thank you for those very useful links. I am not sure how the material will be used yet, either; I have a meeting later this week to discuss the process. I just wanted a general idea as, like you, I cannot give specific advice in this area.
LB
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Rank: Forum user
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Rank: Forum user
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Hi Leadbelly,
I had the same issue when I worked in the ceramic industry. They used to use this material to line trays of product to stop the ceramic components that we made from sticking to the tray when they were fired in a kiln at high temperature to densify the ceramic. The level of activity actually being given off by the zirconia was minute, compared to the amount of lead that the fired product was putting onto the zirconia after it was fired, so that was much more of a hazard!
If you get the supplier to calculate the activity of the material in the right units (suppliers always seem to write this in the wrong units, I found, or get an RPA to do it for you), you can then check with an RPA as to dosage levels for the process.
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