Current technology for radioactive waste treatment and decontamination

Various activities conducted continuously by Japanese electric power companies and suppliers have brought about significant improvements in reducing the volume of radioactive waste generated, minimizing the amount of radioactive material discharged from nuclear power stations, and decreasing employees' exposure to radiation. Toshiba is now focusing on modifying the design of the latest radioactive waste systems for future use and the future operation of boiling water reactors (BWRs), taking into consideration the recent trends of (1) the construction of burial sites for low-level waste, (2) environmental protection, and (3) reduced waste generation after effective countermeasures. Toshiba will also manage large-scale decontamination work by combining several cleaning techniques. These steps will result in even greater reductions in the radiation dose rate. (author)