Radioactive Waste Management

DOE-HDBK-1106-97

RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT

EO10 IDENTIFY methods for reducing radioactive waste.

Segregation

Segregate waste by waste stream category and half-life to facilitate storage, minimization,

and disposal.

Waste Storage

Each laboratory should have a designated location for storing waste. Radioactive waste

should be stored separately from hazardous waste. This location should be out of the way

of normal lab activities, but easily accessible, recognizable, and properly labeled and

shielded.

Liquid waste materials should be kept in secondary containers and segregated by hazard

class. Secondary containers may be lab trays or any device that will contain 110 percent

of the largest container.

Sharps

Contaminated syringes, glass pipettes, and other sharp items must be placed in a

specifically designed, rigid container.

Methods for Minimizing Waste

Minimize waste generation

Confine operations: Confine operations with radioactive materials to as small an

area as possible.

Minimize materials: Minimize materials introduced into radioactive material

handling areas.