RADONORM 2024 – Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material – characterisation, inventory of related exposure situations and monitoring principles – the two weeks training course

Naturally occurring radionuclides – Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material – characterisation, inventory of related exposure situations and monitoring principles the two weeks training course organized by: Silesian Centre for Environmental Radioactivity together with Competence Development Centre of the GIG Research Institute.

Place and date of training: Katowice (Poland), April 15th – 26th 2024

What the course is about?

The training course provides information about NORM in coherent way, starting with general aspects and definitions applicable and exposure situations identification methodology through NORM (including radon) and related hazard characterisation, details concerning applicable monitoring methods as well as measurement results interpretation. Finally, a NORM body of knowledge is created, illustrated with exercises on case studies. Recent outcomes of RadoNorm project on NORM and radon exposure situations inventory and characterisation as well as monitoring and management strategies developed are introduced into the training course programme.

For whom?

The expected target group are PhD students, researchers with different background involved in NORM and radon investigations, authorities’ representatives, and practitioners from industries of concern. The group of max 14 trainees assure full interaction with lecturers, effective execution of exercises and reasonable time for individual/group works, discussions, and exercises results final evaluation. The background in ionizing radiation and radiation protection is expected, however not necessary.

The programme

The proposed training course program covers basic information about NORM, including sources and processes leading to natural radionuclides accumulation, the identification of cases of concern (by industry type as well as by technological processes applied), the inconclusiveness of existing regulation, and the interaction of NORM with other pollutants frequently present simultaneously. The latest outcomes of RadoNorm WP 2.5 (Methodology for a systematic and comparable information collection on NORM exposure sites across Europe – under final development) will be used.  Key processes controlling the behaviour of naturally occurring radionuclides in different ecosystems are outlined, including basic concepts, variables/parameters and kinetics needed for proper evaluation of existing exposure situation. The overview of measurement/monitoring methods is included with the special attention payed to features and difficulties specific to measurement of natural radionuclides subject to successive decay. Practical exercises based of existing exposure situation are included in the course programme as well as individual works on course specific topics to facilitate further use of theoretical knowledge gathered in practice.

Additional expectation towards the training course is to collect a feedback from trainees to improve RadoNorm relevant deliverables. legal context and the inconclusiveness of existing regulation.

How the classes will be held

The training course combines lectures and practical exercises based on investigation and solutions applied in existing situations as well as individual/group works on course specific topics, multiple choice test and quizzes to facilitate use of knowledge gathered in future practice. A site visit is planned to illustrate NORM exposure conditions in an underground mine. Experienced researchers directly involved in RadoNorm project realisation will give lectures.

Important information

  • Course participation is free of charge for participants
  • The organizers do not reimburse travel and accommodation costs, but suggest applying for a travel grant in frame of either RadoNorm or PIANOFORTE project:
    • https://www.radonorm.eu/calls/call-for-travel-grant/ (for PhD students)
    • https://pianoforte-partnership.eu/calls/travel-grants-for-researchers  (MSc students also can apply)
    • https://pianoforte-partnership.eu/calls/travel-grants-for-early-career-radiation-protection-professionals (especially for young professionals)
  • The training course is conducted in English.
  • The deadline for the submission of applications is: March 17th, 2024. Notification of acceptance or rejection will be sent by March 19th, 2024
  • A certificate of attendance will be issued at the end of the course
  • Course is worth 10 ECTS points.

Application

Participants can register by completing the required documents and submitting them via e-mail to Aleksander Warkocz at awarkocz@gig.eu with a copy to Boguslaw Michalik at bmichalik@gig.eu

Required documents

  • Brief CV
  • Application (Registration) Form

How to get to Katowice

Two main airports near Katowice are Kraków-Balice (KRK) and Katowice-Pyrzowice (KTW).

If you arrive at Kraków Balice, you can take a direct bus to Katowice, or alternatively, a bus or train to Kraków main railway station/bus station (called MDA) and then transfer to a train or bus to Katowice.
For more information on transportation options, you can visit:
www.trainkrakowairport.pl,
www.rozklady.mda.malopolska.pl,
www.busradar.com.

If you arrive at Katowice Pyrzowice, you have two options: take a direct bus or an indirect train to Katowice.
You can find more information on transportation options at:
www.katowice-airport.com/en/for-passengers/directions
www.busradar.com

Hotels

Please note that we do not provide accommodation for the duration of our courses. However, we can offer discount codes for hotels in Katowice.
Please feel free to send us a message with your application to inquire about the discount codes.

Contact and Information

Aleksander Warkocz
awarkocz@gig.eu

Bogusław Michalik
bmichalik@gig.eu
Place Gwarków 1, 40-166 Katowice, Poland
Phone: +48-32-259-2380

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