Abstract
An evaluation of the incineration process of municipal solid waste is made for identifying potential radiation hazards. Sources of radiation considered are the radioactive materials wrongly eliminated into municipal waste (e.g., industrial and medical waste containing radioactive sources, such as cesium-137 and technetium-99m) and also radionuclides of natural origin (e.g., radium-226, polonium-210) contained in common materials disposed as domestic waste. Through burning, radionuclides from both origins may be released as gases and radioactive particles into the atmosphere and build up in the facility and in the environment nearby. Results from model calculations indicated that naturally-occurring radionuclides released into the atmosphere likely originate a small enhancement to the natural radiation background. However, in the case of man-made radioactive sources mixed with the municipal solid waste the radioactive emissions may attain and eventually exceed the radiation dose limit for members of the public. These results support the recommendation that for natural radionuclides present in incinerated waste a careful evaluation of the risk of exposure to ionizing radiation, actually in accord to the European Directive 2013/59/EURATOM establishing the basic safety standards for radiation protection, must be performed and model calculations validated with radioactivity measurements. Regarding the potential release of radionuclides from man-made radioactive sources it is recommended the installation of portals equipped with radiation detectors to check municipal solid waste on admission in the facilities and prevent such radiological accident.
Highlights
One of the new hazards identified in recent years in connection with high-temperature combustion processes is the volatilization of naturally-occurring radioactive elements present in raw materials and wastes submitted to melting or incineration
Sources of radiation considered are the radioactive materials wrongly eliminated into municipal waste and radionuclides of natural origin contained in common materials disposed as domestic waste
The European Directive's resolutions are binding on States and stipulate that it is for EU Member States to identify and assess radiological risks and subsequently take the necessary measures in accordance with the procedures and dose limits set out in that Directive
Summary
One of the new hazards identified in recent years in connection with high-temperature combustion processes is the volatilization of naturally-occurring radioactive elements present in raw materials and wastes submitted to melting or incineration. The European Union draw attention to radiological risks associated with several non-nuclear industries and, with the Directive 96/29/EURATOM (EU Directive 96/29) transferred responsibility to the Member States to assess radiation doses in such industries and compare them with legal dose limits in order to identify radiological risks. These responsibilities of EU Member States, together with radiation dose limits for workers and members of the public, have been revised in the Directive 59/2013/EURATOM (Directive 59/2013) which, after transposition by Member States to national regulations, replaces the International Journal of Occupational and Environmental Safety, 1:1 (2017) 1-10.
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