Table 7.2. Classification boundaries as given in 10 CFR 61

DOE-STD-6003-96

against inadvertent intrusion. The physical form and characteristics of Class C waste must meet

both the minimum and stability requirements set forth in 10 CFR 61.56.

Waste that is not generally acceptable for near-surface disposal is waste for which form

and disposal methods must be different, and in general more stringent, than those specified

for Class C waste. In the absence of specific requirements in 10 CFR 61, such "greater than

Class C" waste must be disposed of in a geologic repository as defined in 10 CFR 60 unless

proposals for disposal of "greater than Class C" waste in a near-surface disposal site are

licensed by the NRC. Licensing criteria for disposal of "greater than Class C" waste are currently

under development.

a. Classification determined by long-lived radionuclides--If radioactive waste contains

only radionuclides listed in Table 7.2, classification shall be determined as follows:

TABLE 7.2. Classification boundaries as given in 10 CFR 61

Concentration

Radionuclide

(Ci/m3, unless stated otherwise)

C-14

C-14 in activated metal

Ni-59 in activated metal

220

Nb-94 in activated metal

0.2

Tc-99

I-129

0.08

Alpha-emitting transuranic

100 nCi/g

nuclides with half-life >5 yr

Pu-241

3,500 nCi/g

Cm-242

20,000 nCi/g

If the concentration does not exceed 0.1 times the value in Table 7.2, the waste is

Class A. If the concentration exceeds 0.1 times the value in Table 7.2 but does not exceed the

value in Table 7.2, the waste is Class C. If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 7.2,

the waste is not generally acceptable for near-surface disposal. For wastes containing mixtures

of radionuclides listed in Table 7.2, the total concentration shall be determined by the sum-of-

fractions rule.

b. Classification determined by short-lived radionuclides.

If radioactive waste does not contain any of the radionuclides listed in Table 7.2, classifi-

cation shall be determined based on the concentrations shown in Table 7.3. However, if radio-

active waste does not contain any nuclides listed in either Table 7.2 or 7.3, it is Class A.

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