Implementation of graded approach in ensuring safety in management of emergency and legacy radioactive waste in Ukraine

Abstract

Ukraine has accumulated large amounts of Chernobyl-origin emergency radioactive waste stored in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and beyond, as well as legacy radioactive waste in the Radon-type facilities and military sites of the former Soviet Union. Management of such radioactive waste requires the application of a graded approach, in particular, ranking of sites with such radioactive waste by the degree of hazard. Based on the results of ranking, a decision is made on one of the three options: urgent removal of radioactive waste from the site, delayed removal of radioactive waste from the site, and absence of necessity to remove radioactive waste from the site. If it is decided to leave radioactive waste at the site, the graded approach determines the scope of measures to maintain the safety level of that site. This paper presents methodological aspects and experience of the practical application of the graded approach to ensure the safe management of emergency and legacy radioactive waste. In particular, it includes the experience of the Ukrainian State Scientific and Technical Center for Nuclear and Radiation Safety in expert reviews of safety assessments of such sites with emergency and legacy radioactive waste, results of their ranking by degree of hazard, designs for removal of radioactive waste from sites, and establishment of levels for the remediation of territories.