Planning of a future low level waste disposal facility in Malaysia

An assessment of the management of institutional radioactive waste in Malaysia was conducted with the aim of evaluating future waste management and planning for a low level waste disposal facility. A complete inventory of radioactive wastes has been drawn up at the Malaysian Institute for Nuclear Technology Research. It is estimated that by the year 2005, the total accumulated processed waste package volume for disposal will be 215 m3. The trends until the year 2015 can be projected by estimation from the available data. The estimate includes low level and intermediate level wastes. Studies and planning will be conducted extensively to have a low level waste disposal facility in the Seventh Malaysian Plan for the years 1996 to 2000. This will include having a suitable organizational system, siting, design, safety assessment, operation and quality assurance, which will provide a proper disposal facility and proper management of the radioactive wastes in Malaysia. Disposal technologies to be considered will greatly depend on the topography and climatic factors in the country. Preliminary study for site screening will be conducted to determine suitability for final disposal of the wastes. Proper disposal design and detailed radiological impact assessment must be conducted for the site chosen before any disposal activities are begun. The designs considered will be shallow land burial with a concrete floor, an above ground vault and a below ground vault. In Malaysia, which has a humid climate and regions with a shallow depth of groundwater (less than 3 m), the above ground vault technology would be the most appropriate. However, this will depend on the site chosen. (author). 2 refs, 3 tabs