Radiological Land Surveys 

NORM refers to radioactive elements found naturally in the environment, such as uranium, thorium, and potassium, and their decay products. These materials are present in all raw materials to some extent and can become concentrated through various industrial processes, resulting in NORM waste. 

As the land owner or planning applicant, it is your responsibility to ensure that a radiological land survey is commissioned when required by planning conditions or when deemed necessary for due diligence. In the event that regulated radioactivity is identified during the survey, you may need to obtain a radioactive substances permit and consult with a Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA) before proceeding with further work on the site. 

Lucion takes a collaborative approach to planning radiological land surveys, working closely with clients and local authorities to understand the site’s history and specific requirements. Our team assesses the site’s topography and access conditions to determine any necessary preparatory works before conducting the survey using advanced equipment and techniques. 

A radiological land survey report typically includes qualitative and quantitative descriptions of the site’s radiological character, detailed contour plots (heat maps) for easy interpretation of the entire data set, and statistical analysis of the survey data to highlight areas of radiological interest. 

Radiological land surveys can detect discrete radiological artefacts, such as those associated with historical radium manufacturing or use, as well as more diffuse distributions of radioactivity often related to sites with a history of NORM-contaminating industrial processes. 

Radiological land surveys are essential for identifying potential radiological contamination on a site before commencing land development or redevelopment projects. Radiological land surveys help ensure the safety of workers, the public, and the environment, as well as maintain compliance with regulatory requirements. 

A radiological land survey, or radiological walkover survey, is a process of characterising the radiological features of a piece of land by measuring gamma radiation levels across the site using highly sensitive survey equipment. The collected data is then processed to generate detailed contour plots and reports.