Radioactive waste is generated as a by-product of nuclear reactors, research facilities and hospitals. The waste is nuclear reactors entails used uranium fuel in nuclear power reactors that are no longer considered useful for producing power and is mainly regarded as high-level waste (Hidaka & Yuan, 2012). Hospitals and research facilities produce low-level waste (Andrews, 2013). In hospitals, radioactive waste emerges from spent radioactive materials used for diagnosis and treatment of the sick and for sterilization of medical tools. In research facilities, radioactive waste emerges from spent radioactive materials used to conduct crucial research in engineering, chemistry and biology.
Before disposal, high-level radioactive waste must first be stored to enable radioactivity and heat decay and to ensure safe handling. Useful high-level radioactive products not planned for disposal can be reprocessed for recycling. Low level waste is sent to disposal immediately after packaging. Two disposal methods are used for disposing of radioactive waste. They include near-surface disposal technique and deep geological disposal technique (Ahn, 2017, World Nuclear Association, 2017).
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The near surface disposal method involves placing radioactive waste in caravans below the ground level or at the ground level and used to dispose of low-level radioactive waste (Hidaka & Yuan, 2012). Near-surface disposal facilities at ground level include LLW Repository in the UK, El Cabril LLW in Spain, Centre de I’Aube in France, LLW Disposal Center in Japan, Texas Compact plant (close to New Mexico border), Barnwell (in South Carolina), Oak Ridge ( in Tennessee), and Richland in Washington both in the USA. Near-surface disposal plants in caverns include the SFR final repository in Sweden and Olkiluoto underground repository in Finland (World Nuclear Association, 2017).
Deep geological disposal method entails two techniques, which include mined repositories (depths range from 250 metres to 1000 metres) and deep boreholes (2000 metres to 5000 metres) and is used to dispose of high-level radioactive waste (Ahn, 2017). Deep geological disposal facilities include the proposed Yucca Mountain facility and the Waste Isolation Pilot facility in the USA (World Nuclear Association, 2017).
The use of nuclear energy technology contributes significantly to dealing with issues of inadequate energy. However, the safety and health issues related to nuclear waste present significant constraints regarding the extensive utilization of nuclear energy. Nuclear energy produces radioactive and highly hazardous waste products and requires a careful storage or reprocessing mechanisms. Thus, it is important to establish radioactive waste management techniques before using nuclear energy extensively.
References
Ahn, J. (2017). Geological repository systems for safe disposal of spent nuclear fuels and radioactive waste . Woodhead Publishing.
Andrews, A. (2013). Radioactive waste streams: Waste classification for disposal . Place of publication not identified: Bibliogov.
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Hidaka, S., & Yuan, W. (2012). Radioactive waste: Sources, types and management . New York: Nova Science Publishers.
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World Nuclear Association. (2017, July). Storage and Disposal of Radioactive Waste. Retrieved March 20, 2018, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel- cycle/nuclear-wastes/storage-and-disposal-of-radioactive-wastes.aspx
