Low-level waste

Low-level waste (LLW) is a type of radioactive waste that includes a wide range of items that have been contaminated with radioactive material or have become radioactive through exposure to neutron radiation. This waste typically consists of contaminated protective shoe covers and clothing, wiping rags, mops, filters, reactor water treatment residues, equipment and tools, luminous dials, medical tubes, swabs, injection needles, syringes, and laboratory animal carcasses and tissues.

Characteristics

Low-level waste is distinguished from high-level waste and intermediate-level waste by its lower levels of radioactivity. The radioactivity can range from just above background levels found in nature to much higher levels, which can be harmful to humans and the environment if not properly managed.

Classification

In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has established classes for low-level waste based on the concentration of specific radionuclides. These classes are Class A, Class B, and Class C, with Class A being the least radioactive.

Disposal

The disposal of low-level waste is straightforward and does not require the same level of shielding and heat management as high-level waste. It can be disposed of in near-surface disposal facilities, which are sites that are engineered to contain the waste and isolate it from the environment.

Regulation

In the United States, the regulation of low-level waste is shared between the NRC and the states. The NRC is responsible for overseeing the licensing and operation of commercial low-level waste disposal facilities, while the states are responsible for regulating the disposal of low-level waste generated by non-commercial entities, such as hospitals and universities.

See also

• Radioactive waste
• High-level waste
• Intermediate-level waste
• Nuclear Regulatory Commission

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