Low-Level Radioactive Wastes

Definition

Low- Level Radioactive Wastes- Are any radioactive wastes that do not fall into the categories of high-level waste or uranium mill tailing waste.

(Freidland 2012)

Because low-level wastes don't contain high levels of radioactivityhey can be disposed of near the surface rather then underground like high-level wastes.

Once these low-level wastes are disposed of there is no intent to recover them to further use them again in the nuclear process.

Low-level waste includes items that have become contaminated with radioactive material.This typically consists of...

Contaminated protective shoe covers and clothing
Wiping rags
Mops
Filters
Equipment and Tools
Luminous dials
Medical tubes
Swabs
Injection needles and syringes
Laboratory animal carcasses and tissues

(United States Nuclear Regulatory Comission 2015)

The amount of radioactivity in low-level waste can vary from background levels found in nature to much higher levels, such as parts from inside the reactor vessel in a nuclear power plant.

Low-level waste is typically stored on-site by the power plant. It is stored until it has fully and safely decayed (in which case it can be thrown away as ordinary trash) or until it can be shipped to an off-site storage facility.

There are currently only eight commerical power plants in the United States that can store and dispose of low-level radioactive wastes.

(United States Nuclear Regulatory Comission 2015)

Storage Options

The governement has made certian requriements mandatory for the disposal of low-level wastes.

When disposing of wastes companies must avoid any natural resources in the area.

The site also must be isolated from groundwater and surface water. It must also not be in an area affected by geological activity like volcanoes or earthquakes.

Low-level waste disposal sites use a series of both natural and engineered barriers to contain radiation.