![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Naturally-Occurring Radiation:
Rare Earths (Monazite, Xenotime, Bastnasite) Mining Wastes
TENORM
Rare earths are a group of elements that have electrical properties that make them useful in electronics and electrical applications. Lanthanides and yttrium are recovered primarily from ores and minerals that naturally contain uranium and thorium. As a result, the waste rock and sludges from the extraction of rare earths also contain these radionuclides and are TENORM wastes.
| Source | Radiation Level [pCi/g] | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| low | average | high | |
| Rare Earths(Monazite, Xenotime, Bastnasite) | 5.7 | 3224 | |
The Radiation in TENORM Summary Table provides a range of reported concentrations, and average concentration measurements of NORM associated with various waste types and materials.
