Radioactive Materials Injury Lawsuits. If you or a loved one has been sickened by radioactive materials, our firm can help you. Individuals who worked in industries such as uranium mining and oil and gas production are often exposed to dangerous levels of radioactive materials that can lead to catastrophic illnesses. We represent clients in all manner of toxic tort litigation, especially cases involving Technologically Enhanced Radioactive Materials (TERM) and Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM).
Our TERM/TENORM lawyers are currently offering free legal consultations to any individual sickened as a result of exposure to radioactive materials, as well as their survivors. You may be eligible for compensation under a variety of federal and state statutes. If you or a loved suffers from a radiation related disease, we urge you to contact our TERM/TENORM lawyers today to protect your legal rights.
Technologically Enhanced Radioactive Materials or TERM
TERM, Technologically Enhanced Radioactive Material, is produced when activities such as uranium mining, oil and gas production or sewage sludge treatment, concentrate or expose naturally occurring radioactive materials in ores, soils, water, or other natural materials. TERM is sometimes also referred to as NORM or Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM).
Although the concentration of TERM or NORM in most natural substances is low, higher concentrations may arise as a result of human activities. Enhancement of natural radioactivity has been found in:
- Petroleum and natural gas production
- Mineral extraction and processing
- Metal recycling
- Forest products and thermal – electric production
- Water treatment facilities
- Tunneling and underground workings
Technologically-Enhanced Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM)
TENORM describes the sources, radiation content, generation, and management of Technologically-Enhanced Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials. Many of the materials that are technically TENORM have only trace amounts of radiation and are part of our everyday landscape. However, some TENORM has very high concentrations of radionuclides that can result in elevated exposures to radiation.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) TENORM poses three problems:
- It has the potential to cause elevated exposure to radiation.
- People may not be aware of TENORM materials and need information about them.
- Industries that generate these materials may need additional guidance to help manage and dispose of them in ways that protect people and the environment and are economically sound.
There are four categories of TENORM waste that are cause for concerns:
Mining Wastes:
TENORM may be present in mining wastes. These wastes, most significantly from uranium mining, may be generated in large volumes. Because the waste rock and soil have little or no practical use, they are generally stored on land near the mine site.
Energy Production Wastes:
Coal, oil, and natural gas, used by electric utilities and industry to produce energy, have the potential to generate TENORM waste. Wastes from the use of geothermal energy and oil and gas arise primarily from resource extraction. TENORM wastes from the use of coal arise primarily from coal ash, in which the naturally-occurring radionuclides in coal are concentrated.
Water Treatment Wastes:
Drinking water treatment wastes are thought to contain low concentrations of radium (Ra-226), comparable to those found in typical soils. However, some water supply systems, primarily those relying on groundwater sources, may generate wastes with much higher Ra-226 levels. Furthermore, some water treatment systems are more effective than others in removing naturally occurring radionuclides from the water. Wastewater treatment wastes may contain both naturally-occurring radionuclides and radioactive material legally disposed into the sanitary sewage collection system under federal and state regulations.
Consumer Products:
Some TENORM may be found in certain consumer products. For example, zircon contains minute quantities of uranium and thorium, and is widely used as a glaze for ceramics and metal molds. Consumer products that may contain TENORM include antiques, building products, phosphate fertilizer, and tobacco products.
Legal Help for Victims of Radioactive Materials
If you or a loved one sustained a radiation related illness as a result of exposure to radioactive materials, you may have valuable legal rights. We urge you to contact our TERM/TENORM lawyers today by filling out our online form, or calling 1-800-YOURLAWYER (1-800-968-7529) today.
Radiation Overexposure Links:
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA)
Radiation Exposure Environmental Contamination
Radiation Overexposure Medical Devices
Radiation Overexposure TERM NORM TENORM
CT (CAT) Scan Radiation Overdose – See more at: /topics/overview/radiation-overexposure-term-norm-tenorm-lawsuit-lawyer#sthash.aGjXlKre.dpuf