Chapter 9 - Principles of Nuclear Waste Management

Abstract

The acceptance by society of risks associated with radiation and radioactive materials is conditional on the benefits to be gained from their use. A key issue, if radiation and radionuclides are to continue to be used and accepted by the public, is the safe management of nuclear waste. There is justifiable public concern about nuclear waste management, in particular that planned for high level waste (HLW), which may include spent nuclear fuel and spent sealed radioactive sources. Lack of public acceptance often leads to the so-called “not in my backyard” (NIMBY) syndrome. Although this lack of acceptance has a number of roots, the central issue is that of safety and it is not only a question of achieving safety but also of convincing people that safety is achievable. Despite the technical difficulties associated with HLW disposal it cannot be postponed and remains the responsibility of the current generation. The essence of this requirement is expressed in the two internationally approved documents, ‘Safety Series No. 111-F. The Principles of Radioactive Waste Management’ and ‘Safety Standard SF-1. Fundamental Safety Principles’. Although not legally binding these two publications have involved input from many countries with experience in the nuclear industry with the latter document recommended as the reference basis of radioactive waste management safety standards. Moreover the International Atomic Energy Agency has approved procedures for the safety of unreprocessed spent fuel as well as HLW management through the legally binding Joint Convention, which establishes commonly shared safety objectives and sets out specific obligations for states generating such materials. The Radioactive Waste Management Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Nuclear Energy Agency approved the Environmental and Ethical Basis of the Geological Disposal of Long-lived Radioactive Waste. All of these efforts and publications are geared towards ensuring both safety and public acceptance of nuclear energy worldwide.