Low level radioactive waste disposal - technology and public policy

The disposal of low level radioactive waste (LLRW) is becoming a political problem of the eighties. The problems with shallow land burial of LLRW in the recent past have indicated to the public that the operational technology is not adequate; therefore, studies are concentrating on the use of alternate technologies. These technologies consist of below and aboveground vaults, earth-mounded concrete bunkers, minded cavities, and augered holes. Each of these disposal concepts meet various performance criteria set for the disposal of LLRW. However, there are some performance criteria in each case, where the alternate disposal methods do not show any improvement over shallow land burial. A trade-off is then necessary between sociopolitical acceptance and technical performance