The NORM4Building database, a tool for radiological assessment when using by-products in building materials

•Datamining was used for the construction of the NORM4Building database.•Systematic radiological evaluation of by-products for use in concrete.•Radiological evaluation of cement, concrete, ceramics and (phospo)gypsum.•The datamining approach enables the construction of an updated detailed database. Scientific data on natural occurring radioactive materials (NORMs) is available in unknown quantities and the data is fragmented over several different sources. The new EU-BSS is regulating the use of NORM in building materials, however a large scale database with country specific information that can support legislators and industry in the assessment of the radiological impact of the use of by-products in construction is missing. Currently the COST Action ‘NORM4BUILDING’ (2014–2017) is creating such a database using a semi-automated datamining approach. In this paper radiological aspects on by-products that can find application in concrete are discussed based on the database.