The radiological impact of naturally occurring radionuclides in the oil and gas industry on the UK population

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter describes a study undertaken to estimate doses to members of the public from the UK oil and gas industry, resulting from enhanced levels of naturally occurring radionuclides in natural gas and waste streams. The exposure scenarios considered in this study includes: the exposure of members of the public following sea disposal of scales, sludges and other wastes from off-shore and on-shore facilities; the exposure of members of the public to atmospheric releases containing radon from gas fired power stations; the exposure of workers at gas fired power stations, gas terminals and on the gas network; and domestic and commercial exposure to radon in natural gas during cooking. Effective doses to the UK critical group (fishermen) from discharges of NORM contaminated scales and sludges to sea from offshore oil and gas platforms have been calculated for a number of release inventories. This dose estimate is rather conservative, as the release inventories are probably higher than actual releases.