Unrestricted release in dismantling Italy's nuclear installations

After starting nuclear energy use and conducting nuclear research early in the 1960s, Italy now faces the decommissioning of obsolete installations, particularly research reactors. From 1983 to 1987, three small-size research reactors (ROSPO, RITMO and RANA) were dismantled and their site returned to unrestricted use. In the same period, two more research reactors (RB-1 and RB-2) were dismantled; however, for these two reactors, the meaning of unrestricted release is to be further clarified and is discussed. Over the last ten years a debate has been active among interested parties in Italy in order to overcome the case-by-case approach to unrestricted release. The dismantling of RB-1 and RB-2 reactors and the handling of materials and wastes are described. (author) 9 refs.; 2 tabs