Performance assessment models for low level radioactive waste disposal facilities: A review

Abstract

The statutory role of performance assessment of radioactive waste disposal facilities is a technical analysis to evaluate the prospective performance of a disposal site with respect to regulatory compliance. The areas that are covered by performance assessment range from the characterization of the waste and site to estimation of any potential dose to the public due to release of radionuclides over long periods of time (typically thousands of years). In developing new disposal sites, performance assessment has also been used as a screening tool for determining site suitability, a guide in site characterization, as well as a final technical analysis for license application. This paper provides a review of the current status of performance assessment models in the U.S. for civilian low-level radioactive waste (LLW) disposal facilities.