Improving the Regulation and Management of Low-Activity Radioactive Wastes (2006) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:
Appendix B International Approaches for Management of Low-Activity Radioactive Waste
Appendix B International Approaches for Management of Low-Activity Radioactive Waste
Pages 177-192
The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.
From page 177... ...
The multiplicity of international approaches makes it difficult to develop a systematic picture -- but provides fertile ground for greater exchange of ideas and information that can lead to mutual strengthening of LAW management in all countries. The following examples have been chosen mostly from among countries that have a well-developed nuclear industry and therefore have experience with a variety of practices for managing waste.
|
From page 178... ...
as waste of low thermal output and activity of the order of 1,000 TBq/m3, TABLE B.1 Waste Classification in France Activity Slightly radioactive Dedicated surface disposal (Centre de stockage TFA de Morvilliers) Low and Intermediate level Surface disposal (Centre de Stockage de l'Aube)
|
From page 179... ...
As a complementary example, the Finnish situation is interesting because, as in United States, the classification of waste according to origin leads to separate management options for waste having the same characteristics, but broad categories similar to those for the other classification approaches also are identified. In Finland, a distinction is made first between wastes from the nuclear industry, which are controlled by nuclear energy legislation, and wastes of other origins, which are controlled by radiation protection laws.
|
From page 180... ...
All products inside these zones are thus considered radioactive; all products outside these zones are considered conventional waste and need not be subjected to further regulatory control for reasons of radiological protection. The radioactive waste content and level of activity are reconstructed through process analysis and history of operations.
|
From page 181... ...
disposal vaults, TENORM and Stockage impervious cover; graphite waste de l'Aube (iii) site features (dry disposal above water table)
|
From page 182... ...
. This is further addressed the sections on "Management of Nonnuclear Waste" and "Global Approaches at the International Level." Whatever the approach, surface disposal requires that the threshold values above which waste will not be accepted in such a facility be clearly defined and that waste be managed within disposal options that are robust against events that may jeopardize waste confinement.
|
From page 183... ...
However, there is definitely a growing international concern to include management of nonnuclear waste in a more consistent framework (see "Global Approaches at the International Level")
|
From page 184... ...
Formerly based only on consideration of an exemption level of 500 Bq/g for the total content of naturally occurring radionuclides in material outside the nuclear industry, radiation protection issues have been more thoroughly addressed through the elaboration of a list of residues for which radiological protection may be relevant and through assessment of public exposures in the short and long term for residues of concern. From studies carried out on the subject, criteria have been derived for different options of NORM waste management.
|
From page 185... ...
Mainly, two types of disposal options are encountered: Residues and waste rock are spread in layers in thalwegs or in open pits and often are contained by dams so as to protect nearby rivers from dispersion of the residues into surface waters. These may be covered by layers of comparatively low-activity material (usually waste rock of low grade)
|
From page 186... ...
IAEA has recently launched work to include uranium tailings as well as nonnuclear waste disposal in a common framework, as discussed in the section on "Global Approaches at the International Level." Disused Sealed Sources As mentioned before, approaches to managing disused sealed sources depend on the regulatory structure in each country and a multiplicity of interests. The European Commission (2000b)
|
From page 187... ...
Very few countries have developed definitive disposal options for sealed sources. Further, there are many instances in which lost sources have caused serious injuries, or where safety conditions for storage or disposal of sources are poor.
|
From page 188... ...
However, there are areas that require further guidance, in particular for achieving practical criteria for the management of slightly radioactive waste, for appraising long-term radiation protection issues, and for assessing safety and bringing consistency in management of waste from all origins. Concerning clearance levels or activity concentrations in material that may be disregarded for purposes of radiation protection, additional guidance is given by the European Commission (2000a)
|
From page 189... ...
Important guidance can be found concerning methods and requirements for safety assessments in IAEA safety standards. A joint convention on the safety of spent fuel management and the safety of radioactive waste management was adopted in 1997, obliging each contracting party to apply common safety standards and to report on the consistent implementation of waste management (IAEA, 1997)
|
From page 190... ...
For instance, limits could be justified so as to accommodate waste with long-lived content that cannot be easily separated from short-lived waste, disposal of some waste in available facilities may be preferred so as to avoid safety problems of interim storage, and so on. NORM waste and uranium mill tailings management are of concern from the viewpoint of radiological protection.
|
From page 191... ...
There is clearly growing interest in harmonizing management of waste from all sources and achieving a consistent framework in which generic waste management solutions can be identified to establish a consistent policy for disposing of all types of waste and providing adequate answers for industrial needs. All stakeholders' involvement will be required to achieve such a framework.
|
Key Terms
This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More
information on Chapter Skim is available.