Technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM)
Produced when activities such as uranium mining or sewage sludge treatment concentrate radioactive materials that occur naturally in ores, soils, water or other natural materials.
In 2018, the Colorado State legislature passed a bill (SB 245) that gave CDPHE the authority to promulgate rules for the safe management of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (TENORM). The bill requires the Department to:
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Review TENORM residual management and regulatory limits from other states.
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Prepare a report that considers background radiation levels in the state, waste stream identification and quantification, use and disposal practices, current engineering practices, appropriate test methods, economic impacts and data gaps.
The department hired Rule Engineering to research and prepare the report required by SB 245.
- Part 20 TENORM rulemaking
- Part 20 TENORM guidance development
- Dose assessment and modelling in support of 6 CCR 1007-1 Part 20
- Senate Bill 18-245: TENORM report and summary of regulatory development and stakeholder process (A PDF Portfolio; download and open with Adobe to view)
- Final TENORM report
- Public comments to the draft TENORM report. (This is a PDF portfolio, please download to view)
- CDPHE comments to the draft TENORM report
Information from past stakeholder meetings
7/11/2018
Kickoff meeting.
July 11, 2018 meeting PowerPoint presentation
9/20/2018
Setting an exempt level.
September 20, 2018 meeting PowerPoint presentation
September 20, 2018 meeting PowerPoint presentation
9/25/2018
Setting regulatory limits for landfill disposal.
Sept. 25, 2018 meeting PowerPoint presentation
Sept. 25, 2018 meeting PowerPoint presentation
6/26/2019
Overall philosophy clarifications, questions to Rule about Report, schedule for TENORM stakeholder meetings.
7/16/2019
Forum on drinking water treatment industry.
8/5/2019
Forum on wastewater treatment and beneficial reuse.
8/29/2019
Forum on oil and gas residuals.
9/17/2019
Setting an exempt level.
10/8/2019
Setting regulatory limits for landfill disposal.
10/24/2019
Setting regulatory limits for beneficial reuse other than land application of biosolids.
11/6/2019
Setting regulatory limits for radioactive materials licensing.
11/20/2019
What we learned from the stakeholder process and outline of TENORM Regulatory topics.
5/26/2020
Review and discussion of the proposed new rule/rule changes.
May 26, 2020 PowerPoint presentation
May 26, 2020 PowerPoint presentation
7/27/2020
Review and discussion of draft B.
July 27, 2020 PowerPoint presentation - draft B
July 27, 2020 PowerPoint presentation - guidance development
Contacts
For questions regarding solid waste-related aspects of TENORM management.
Jerry Henderson
Solid Waste Permitting Unit
303-692-3455
Jerry.henderson@state.co.us
For questions regarding radiological characteristics of TENORM management or the application of our “Interim Policy and Guidance Pending Rulemaking for the Control and Disposition of Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials in Colorado.”
Jim Grice
Radioactive Materials Unit
303-692-3371
James.grice@state.co.us