Radioactive Waste

DOE-HDBK-XXXX-2005

06/30/2005

145. RADIOACTIVE WASTE. In general, waste that is managed for its radioactive content. Waste

material that contains source, special nuclear, or by-product material is subject to regulation as

radioactive waste under the Atomic Energy Act. Also, waste material that contains

accelerator-produced radioactive material or a high concentration of naturally occurring

radioactive material may be considered radioactive waste.[Derived from DOE O 435.1, DOE

5820.2A]

146. RADIOACTIVITY. Defined as a process:

The spontaneous transformation of unstable atomic nuclei, usually accompanied by the

emission of ionizing radiation. [Derived from NCRP 65]

Defined as a property:

The property of unstable nuclei in certain atoms to spontaneously emit ionizing radiation

during nuclear transformations. [Derived from BEIR III, RHH, ASD]

147. RADIOISOTOPE OR RADIONUCLIDE. An unstable isotope that undergoes spontaneous

transformation, emitting radiation. (See isotope.) [HPRH]

148. REASONABLY ACHIEVABLE CONTROL TECHNOLOGY (RACT). Technology for

control of pollutant emissions from existing sources in areas that are not in attainment of

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). RACT may include devices, systems,

process modifications, or other apparatus or techniques that are reasonably achievable taking

into account: (1) the necessity of imposing such controls in order to attain and maintain a

NAAQS; (2) the social, environmental, and economic impact of such controls; and (3)

alternative means of providing for attainment and maintenance of such a standard. [See

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS).] [Derived from 40 CFR 51.100(o)]

149. RECORD OF DECISION (ROD). A concise public document that records a federal agency's

decision(s) concerning a proposed action for which the agency has prepared an environmental

impact statement (EIS). The ROD is prepared in accordance with the requirements of the

Council on Environmental Quality NEPA regulations (40 CFR 1505.2). A ROD identifies the

alternatives considered in reaching the decision, the environmentally preferable alternative(s),

factors balanced by the agency in making the decision, whether all practicable means to avoid

or minimize environmental harm have been adopted, and if not, why they were not. [See

environmental impact statement (EIS).] [Derived from 40 CFR 1505.2]

150. REM. A unit of dose equivalent. The dose equivalent in rems equals the absorbed dose in rads

in tissue multiplied by the appropriate quality factor and possibly other modifying factors.

Derived from "roentgen equivalent man," referring to the dosage of ionizing radiation that will

cause the same biological effect as one roentgen of X-ray or gamma ray exposure. One rem

equals 0.01 sievert. (See absorbed dose, dose equivalent, and quality factor.) [Derived from

DOE 6430.1A, HPRH, ANSI N1.1]

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