Problems in shallow land disposal of solid low-level radioactive waste in the united states

ABSTRACTBecause of its apparent structural integrity, cement has been widely used in the United States as a binder to solidify Class B and C low-level radioactive waste (LLW). However, the resulting cement preparations are susceptible to failure due to the actions of stress and environment. An environmentally mediated process that could affect cement stability is the action of naturally occurring microorganisms. The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), recognizing this eventuality, stated that the effects of microbial action on waste form integrity must be addressed.This paper provides present results from an ongoing program that addresses the effects of microbially influenced degradation (MID) on cement-solidified LLW. Data are provided on the development of an evaluation method using acid-producing bacteria. Results are from work with one type of these bacteria, the sulfur-oxidizing Thiobacillus. This work involved the use of a system in which laboratory- and vendor-manufactured, simulated waste forms were exposed on an intermittent basis to media containing thiobacilli. Testing demonstrated that MID has the potential to severely compromise the structural integrity of ion-exchange resin and evaporator-bottoms waste that is solidified with cement. In addition, it was found that a significant percentage of calcium and other elements were leached from the treated waste forms. Also, the surface pH of the treated specimens decreased to below 2. These conditions apparently contributed to the physical deterioration of simulated waste forms after 60 days of exposure to the thiobacilli.

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The Impact of Low-Level Radioactive Waste Management Policy on Biomedical Research in the United States

10.17226/10064 ◽

2001 ◽

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Radioactive Waste ◽

Waste Management ◽

Biomedical Research ◽

The United States ◽

Management Policy ◽

Radioactive Waste Management ◽

Waste Management Policy ◽

The Impact ◽

Low Level Radioactive Waste

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Guessing and Choosing: A Multicriterion Decision on Disposal Technology for Low-Level Radioactive Waste

Journal of Public Policy ◽

10.1017/s0143814x0000533x ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 275-290 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dennis Coates ◽

Michael Munger

Keyword(s):

Decision Making ◽

Radioactive Waste ◽

Delphi Technique ◽

Decision Rules ◽

The United States ◽

Public Officials ◽

Low Level ◽

Full Knowledge ◽

Low Level Radioactive Waste ◽

Decision Making Tool

ABSTRACTPublic officials faced with difficult and technologically complex decisions often resort to decision rules that purport to aggregate disparate judgements. Such multicriterion decisions are only as good as the procedures used to perform such aggregation, however. We examine the use of one such decision-making tool, a variant of the Delphi technique, in the choice of a disposal technology for low-level radioactive waste for the Southeast Compact Commission in the United States. The case focuses on the danger when officials guess when they think they are choosing. Choosing occurs when all participants understand the implications, and sensitivities, of the technique used to aggregate judgement; guessing occurs when the participants choose randomly or without full knowledge of the properties of the process.

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A Summary of Radiological Waste Disposal Practices in the United States and the United Kingdom

ASME 2009 12th International Conference on Environmental Remediation and Radioactive Waste Management, Volume 2 ◽

10.1115/icem2009-16379 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Victoria M. Maranville ◽

Richard McGrath

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Radioactive Waste ◽

Public Participation ◽

Case Studies ◽

Waste Disposal ◽

The United States ◽

Near Surface ◽

Low Level ◽

The Us ◽

The Uk

A systematic review of near-surface repositories for radioactive waste in the United States (US) was conducted. The main focus of the review consisted of a literature search of available documents and other published sources on low level radioactive waste (LLRW) disposal practices, remediation of LLRW sites in the US, and public participation for remediation efforts of near-surface radiological waste disposal sites in the US. This review was undertaken to provide background information in support of work by the United Kingdom’s (UK) Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) and to aid in optimizing the future management of this site. The review contained a summary of the US and UK radiological waste classification requirements including a discussion of the waste types, disposal requirements, and the differences between US and UK disposal practices. A regulatory overview and evolution of regulatory requirements in the US is presented. The UK regulatory environment is also discussed and contrasted to the US process. The public participation, as part of the US regulatory process, is provided and the mechanism for stakeholder identification and involvement is detailed. To demonstrate how remediation of radiologically impacted sites is implemented in the US, existing US case studies, in which remediation activities were carried out, were reviewed. The following information was compiled: type of wastes disposed of to US shallow ground facilities [with comparison with UK classifications], facility designs (with special emphasis on those directly comparable to the subsurface conditions in the UK), and deficiencies identified in operation or in demonstrating safe post closure; and processes and difficulties in remedial actions encountered at the selected sites. Stakeholder involvement is discussed within the case studies. Publicly available information related to radiological waste management and disposal practices were reviewed. Two sites are presented in this publication for discussion. These US sites were selected based on the site similarities to conditions in the UK.

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