Management of waste containing very low activity levels under conditions of uncertainty

¹ Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, PO Box 55, 1332 Osteras, Norway
² Burnasyan Federal Medical Biophysical Centre Federal Medical-Biological Agency, 123182, Zhivopisnaya 46 Moscow, Russia
³ Federal Medical-Biological Agency of Russia, 123182 Volokolamskoe Shosse, 30 Moscow, Russia

Abstract

The problem of low level waste management is currently the issue of the day. In the context of the present work, these wastes are referred to as very low level wastes (VLLW), similar to some foreign States and like in IAEA publications. The solution of VLLW management is possible through introduction of this waste category into the system of the national classification. The waste management problem solving at SevRAO facility requires elaborating provisions relating to VLLW management procedure, variants of release from regulatory control, disposal options, sitting the disposal landfills in terms of SevRAO features, forming both radiation situation and occupational doses. A conclusion is made that industrial waste containing man-made radionuclides with up to 30 kBq/kg specific activity may be safely disposed at VLLW landfill in Andreeva Bay and Gremikha and the level of the industrial waste clearance from the radiation control corresponds to 0.3 kBq/kg.