Disposal Information and Procedures Radiological Waste Identification

• What is a Radiological Waste?

  • Low-level radioactive waste means waste material which contains radioactive nuclides emitting primarily beta or gamma radiation, or both, in concentrations or quantities that exceed applicable federal or State standards for unrestricted release.
  • The official definitions are : waste materials "that are acceptable for disposal in a land disposal facility"...and..."radioactive waste (a) not classified as high-level radioactive waste, transuranic waste, spent nuclear fuel, or byproduct material as defined in Section 11e. (2)of the Atomic Energy Act (uranium or thorium tailings and waste) and (b) classified as low-level radioactive waste consistent with existing law and in accordance with (a) by the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission".
  • Mixed Low Level Waste (MLLW) contains both hazardous waste (as defined by RCRA and its amendments) and radioactive waste (as defined by Atomic Energy Act of 1954 and its amendments). It is jointly regulated by Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) or NRC's Agreement States and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or EPA's RCRA Authorized States.