Greater confinement disposal of radioactive waste in borehole facilities

Security experts are now very concerned that a sealed radioactive source (SRS) could be used in a radiological dispersion device to terrorize and disrupt society. The most vulnerable SRSs are the unwanted SRSs that owners must hold indefinitely because there are no disposal facilities. Near surface facilities are not safe for long lived wastes and deep geological repositories will never be available in most countries. Sandia National Laboratories recently demonstrated that intermediate depth greater confinement disposal boreholes sited in thick arid alluvium can safely isolate long lived radioactive waste. The Egyptian Atomic Energy Authority, with Sandia National Laboratories, is conducting a preliminary safety assessment of intermediate depth borehole disposal in thick arid alluvium in Egypt based on experience with greater confinement disposal boreholes in the United States of America. Such intermediate depth boreholes can be used to remove unwanted SRSs from the biosphere, thus eliminating both the security and safety hazards associated with unwanted and highly radioactive materials. (author)