To provide control and characterisation services, both in the laboratory and on-site, TRS Ecology has acquired new portable and laboratory instruments for the radiometric monitoring of waste, along with the preparation of the radiometric characterisation report in accordance with Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020 and subsequent amendments.
To ensure compliance with legal requirements for both natural and artificial radiometric monitoring services, TRS Ecology has recently upgraded its equipment, which includes a fixed high-purity germanium detector Mirion Canberra GX3020-CP5-PLUS-SL, and portable instrumentation comprising a Mirion SPIRE-ACE dosimeter with NAI detector, facilitating the execution of radiometric control and characterisation services for waste.
The radiometric monitoring of waste is aimed at identifying potential radioactive sources or contamination within treated materials and is mandated by various regulations, particularly Italian Legislative Decree No. 101/2020, amended by Italian Legislative Decree No. 203 of 2022.
A diverse range of companies are required to carry out radiometric monitoring of waste, including: foundries, glassworks, refineries, steelworks and waste incineration facilities, along with companies using zircon sands, photovoltaic panel disposal companies, companies handling WEEE, or those collecting and sorting scrap, all importers of semi-finished metal products as well as producers of "end of waste" metal materials.
The internal analysis laboratory at TRS Ecology can deliver measurement services employing Gamma Spectrometry, following the measurement/analysis methodology according to UNI 11665:2017 standard "Determination of gamma-emitting radionuclides by high-resolution gamma spectrometry".
The company employs a qualified technician recognised as a Radiation Protection Expert (RPE) registered in the National Register of RPEs, with thirty years of experience in the sector.
The services offered by TRS Ecology to its clients include:
- Radiometric measurements at clients’ premises conducted by a Radiation Protection Expert using portable equipment at the waste production/storage location;
- Laboratory analysis using gamma spectrometry: waste sampling and analysis conducted in its internal laboratory with gamma spectrometry for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of radionuclides;
- Report from the Radiation Protection Expert: preparation of the radiometric characterisation report according to Italian Legislative Decree 101/2020 by a Radiation Protection Expert.
To perform these radiometric services, TRS Ecology has equipped itself with new instruments and technologies produced by Mirion Technologies, a leading company in the most innovative nuclear measurement solutions used to ensure the safety of people and protect the environment. In particular:
- Gamma spectrometry in the laboratory using a high-purity germanium detector (Canberra, now part of Mirion Technologies, model GX3020-CP5-PLUS-SL, electrically cooled, with efficiency > 30% and resolution (FWHM) < 2.0 keV at 1.33 MeV, peak-to-Compton ratio > 54);
- NaI scintillator for spectrometry and low gamma dose rates measurement (Portable SPIRE-ACE instrument from Mirion Technologies, Size: 1.4’’ x 2’’, GM detector for high gamma dose rates, Energy range: 25 keV - 3 MeV, Measurement and identification range for gamma: from 0.01 μSv/h to 100 mSv/h (Cs-137), Gamma sensitivity: 800 cps per μSv/h for Cs-137, FWHM ≤ 7.5% (662 keV – Cs-137).
What has changed with the recent regulations regarding radiometric checks on radioactive waste?
The term "radiometric monitoring" refers to actions carried out to identify sources or radiocontaminated materials that may improperly end up among treated materials. In addition to research and control activities, subsequent phases of radiometric control and characterisation services for waste also include the management of any findings. Radiometric monitoring is mandated by specific radiation protection regulations (Italian Legislative Decree No. 101/2020 updated by Italian Legislative Decree No. 203 of 2022), but also by other environmental regulations and as Best Available Technology (BAT) in relevant European Union documents. The regulation of radiometric monitoring (which requires companies to carry out radiometric checks on radioactive waste) is required for checks on natural and artificial radioactivity, as well as for the import of scrap or other residual metal materials, semi-finished metal products and finished metal products.