Disposal of Waste with Very Low Radioactivity (VLLW)

Abstract

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has recognized Very Low Level Waste (VLLW) as a category that provides both practical and economic benefits, see [1]. The criteria for national and international low active and very low radioactive (LLW) disposal classifications are described in the EPRI Final Report [2]. This report provides the technical basis for a waste category of very low level waste that applies to any existing low level waste classification system. The generic VLLW category is defined in terms of individual radionuclide specific activity limits, see Chap. 2, Fig. 2.1. From the individual radionuclide-specific activity limits, an effective dose limit of no greater than 50 µSv/a (5 mrem/a) to the maximally exposed individual (MEI) is given in the final EPRI report. The U.S. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) Subtitle C; [3] has been developed in the USA for the disposal of this waste in accordance with the EPRI report.