Key Issues
Disposal of Low-Level Radioactive Waste
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Safely Transporting Low-Level Waste
There are over 300 million U.S. shipments of hazardous materials annually, about three million of which involve radioactive materials such as radiopharmaceuticals or radioactive compounds for medical research. Only a small fraction of these shipments contain low-level waste.
From 1973 to 1995, only four low-level waste transportation accidents—for example, a package opening—led to the release of radioactive material. In all cases, the releases were small and the re-leased materials were quickly repackaged. No injuries or deaths have ever been caused by a release from low-level radioactive waste in a transportation accident.
The NRC requires that radioactive materials be packaged for shipment to protect the public in case of an accident. The kind of packaging required depends on the amounts and types of radioactive elements in the waste.
Stringent Standards for Containers
Low-level waste is shipped in containers designed to meet stringent NRC and DOT standards. Most low-level waste contains low enough levels of radioactiv-ity to be shipped in strong, tight containers or DOT Type A containers. (Type A and B shipping containers bear no relation to NRC Class A, B and C waste forms.) Type A containers must be able to withstand ordinary transportation conditions.
Wastes containing higher levels of radioactivity are shipped in Type B containers, which must be able to withstand accident conditions. Tests must demonstrate that shipment casks can survive a 30-foot fall onto a flat, unyielding surface; a 40-inch drop onto a six-inch steel spike; a 30-minute exposure to a fire of 1,475 degrees Fahrenheit; and submersion in 50 feet of water for eight hours.
Accident Response Arrangements
Besides these precautions, computer programs can be used to select the safest transportation routes. Carriers receive emergency response training that includes written procedures. In the unlikely event of a serious accident, the Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency has instituted the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan in concert with 11 other government agencies. Local police, firefighters and state radiological protection teams also are trained to respond in an emergency.
Nuclear plant operators have signed a nationwide agreement providing that, in case of an accident involving radioactive materials, the closest company will provide equipment and technical assis-tance to the emergency response team, regardless of who shipped the radioactive material.
Safely Transporting Low-Level Waste
There are over 300 million U.S. shipments of hazardous materials annually, about three million of which involve radioactive materials such as radiopharmaceuticals or radioactive compounds for medical research. Only a small fraction of these shipments contain low-level waste.
From 1973 to 1995, only four low-level waste transportation accidents—for example, a package opening—led to the release of radioactive material. In all cases, the releases were small and the re-leased materials were quickly repackaged. No injuries or deaths have ever been caused by a release from low-level radioactive waste in a transportation accident.
The NRC requires that radioactive materials be packaged for shipment to protect the public in case of an accident. The kind of packaging required depends on the amounts and types of radioactive elements in the waste.
Stringent Standards for Containers
Low-level waste is shipped in containers designed to meet stringent NRC and DOT standards. Most low-level waste contains low enough levels of radioactiv-ity to be shipped in strong, tight containers or DOT Type A containers. (Type A and B shipping containers bear no relation to NRC Class A, B and C waste forms.) Type A containers must be able to withstand ordinary transportation conditions.
Wastes containing higher levels of radioactivity are shipped in Type B containers, which must be able to withstand accident conditions. Tests must demonstrate that shipment casks can survive a 30-foot fall onto a flat, unyielding surface; a 40-inch drop onto a six-inch steel spike; a 30-minute exposure to a fire of 1,475 degrees Fahrenheit; and submersion in 50 feet of water for eight hours.
Accident Response Arrangements
Besides these precautions, computer programs can be used to select the safest transportation routes. Carriers receive emergency response training that includes written procedures. In the unlikely event of a serious accident, the Federal Emergency Manage-ment Agency has instituted the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan in concert with 11 other government agencies. Local police, firefighters and state radiological protection teams also are trained to respond in an emergency.
Nuclear plant operators have signed a nationwide agreement providing that, in case of an accident involving radioactive materials, the closest company will provide equipment and technical assis-tance to the emergency response team, regardless of who shipped the radioactive material.
