Introduction

This chapter introduces the reader with the book scope, key concepts, contents, and main terminology, such as naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM), NORM residues, NORM by-products, NORM waste, NORM processing industries, NORM containing building materials, etc.Terminology is important, since the terms that are used demonstrate the way that the world around us is perceived, but also if the use of specific materials for a given application is deemed to be acceptable or not. Before reading this book, in order to avoid misunderstanding, it is important that the reader understands some of the key concepts (or the perspective of the author(s) on these key concepts) that form the core of this book.