Jump to Content

NORM-BMI

Welcome to the NORM-BMI project

This project focuses on the Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material (NORM) in building materials. The research aims to uncover the potential health hazards posed by naturally occurring elements such as uranium, thorium, and potassium found in these materials. This research will assess the state-of-the-art sampling and measurement protocols relating to natural radioactivity in building materials.. Additionally, the project will provide recommendations for a monitoring programme in Ireland that reflects the likely levels of NORM in building materials and recycled aggregates and that takes into account best practice in the EU.

Historically, both research and regulations have focused more on artificial radioactivity, often overlooking naturally occurring radioactive materials. Despite their potential public health implications, there has been limited comprehensive research on radioactivity in building materials. This knowledge gap makes implementing an effective monitoring and regulatory framework quite challenging.

Funded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NORM-BMI will analyse best practices across the EU for assessing NORM in building materials, ensuring we adopt the most effective strategies to protect both people and the environment. With an increased emphasis on reducing construction and demolition waste and improving the circulatory use of construction products and materials, this project supports the development of greener and more sustainable building materials for the future.

The project will be completed in late 2026.

This project is funded under the EPA Research Programme 2021-2030. The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications.

EPA Ireland Logo

NORM-BMI Project Team

PIs include; Profs Jamie Goggins, Carlos Sainz and Mark Foley.

Researchers;

Dr Rihab Djabou

Matt Dodek - research MSc

Matt Dodek

NORM-BMI Project Partners This research project will be carried out by researchers based in Physics, University of Galway in collaboration with the University of Cantabria, Spain and EPA's radiation monitoring lab facilities.


NORM-BMI Project Dissemination International peer-reviewed journal articles: Djabou, R.E., Dodek, M., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Investigation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Building Materials in Ireland. European Physical Journal Special Topics. Djabou, R.E., Dodek, M., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Assessment of Radiological Risks from Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Building Materials in Ireland. Science of the Total Environment. Dodek, M., Djabou, R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Gamma Emissions from NORM in Building Materials: A Position Paper on National Transposition of the Euratom Basic Safety Standard. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. Conference, training and specialist contributions: Djabou, Dodek, M., R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2025). Presentation of the NORM-BMI project and Batch 1 results. RAD Conference 2025. Djabou, Dodek, M., R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2025). Presentation of Batch 1 results and comparison of Gamma Index values with international data. RAP Conference 2025. Djabou, Dodek, M., R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Radiological assessment of naturally occurring radionuclides in Irish building materials. IRRS Conference 2026. Dodek, M., Djabou, R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Presentation of NORM-BMI project results, inter-laboratory comparison and regulatory context. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2026. Outreach, workshops and public engagement activities: Galway Science & Technology Fair, 2024: public engagement activity introducing radiation, basic mitigation concepts and the NORM-BMI project to a younger and non-specialist audience. Polish RadoNorm Training Course, 2025: training-focused dissemination activity where the NORM-BMI project was discussed alongside wider European approaches to NORM measurement, assessment and management. NORM-BMI workshop with European experts, University of Galway, 2026: specialist workshop discussing Irish NORM-BMI results in the context of European experience in NORM measurement, regulation, building-material assessment and implementation of the Euratom Basic Safety Standards.

NORM-BMI Project Partners

This research project will be carried out by researchers based in Physics, University of Galway in collaboration with the University of Cantabria, Spain and EPA's radiation monitoring lab facilities.

NORM-BMI Project Dissemination

International peer-reviewed journal articles:

Djabou, R.E., Dodek, M., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Investigation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Building Materials in Ireland. European Physical Journal Special Topics.

Djabou, R.E., Dodek, M., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Assessment of Radiological Risks from Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (NORM) in Building Materials in Ireland. Science of the Total Environment.

Dodek, M., Djabou, R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Gamma Emissions from NORM in Building Materials: A Position Paper on National Transposition of the Euratom Basic Safety Standard. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity.

Conference, training and specialist contributions:

Djabou, Dodek, M., R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2025). Presentation of the NORM-BMI project and Batch 1 results. RAD Conference 2025.

Djabou, Dodek, M., R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2025). Presentation of Batch 1 results and comparison of Gamma Index values with international data. RAP Conference 2025.

Djabou, Dodek, M., R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Radiological assessment of naturally occurring radionuclides in Irish building materials. IRRS Conference 2026.

Dodek, M., Djabou, R.E., Sainz, C., Fuente, I., Vintró, L.L., Hanley, O., Goggins, J. and Foley, M. (2026). Presentation of NORM-BMI project results, inter-laboratory comparison and regulatory context. European Geosciences Union General Assembly 2026.

Outreach, workshops and public engagement activities:

Galway Science & Technology Fair, 2024: public engagement activity introducing radiation, basic mitigation concepts and the NORM-BMI project to a younger and non-specialist audience.

Polish RadoNorm Training Course, 2025: training-focused dissemination activity where the NORM-BMI project was discussed alongside wider European approaches to NORM measurement, assessment and management.

NORM-BMI workshop with European experts, University of Galway, 2026: specialist workshop discussing Irish NORM-BMI results in the context of European experience in NORM measurement, regulation, building-material assessment and implementation of the Euratom Basic Safety Standards.