Evaluation of the potential for de-regulated disposal of very low level wastes from nuclear power plants

The purpose of this study is to review the characteristics of low-level waste streams generated in nuclear power facilities to determine which may be suitable for disposal by methods other than transfer to an NRC-licensed facility; and to evaluate the benefits, risks, and costs of exempting such very low level wastes from the disposal requirements of 10 CFR Parts 20 and 61. The conclusions of the study are as follows: The most important basic parameter for determining the dose to persons off-site due to disposal of wastes at a specific disposal site is the total activity of each isotope disposed of. There are several waste streams at nuclear power plants that have typical activity levels so low that they could be released for conventional disposal without undue risk to the public. Based on this study, PWR and BWR compacted trash appear to be the best candidates for generic de-regulation. Other PWR process streams may be promising candidates for case-by-case de-regulation, depending on their facility-specific characteristics and the point of de-regulation. Non-routine, high volume, low activity wastes, such as contaminated soil and sand-blasting sand, are excellent candidates for de-regulation. The savings in costs and licensed burial site space, coupled with the very low doses involved (which may indeed represent a net dose decrease rather than an increase), clearly justify permitting conventional disposal of VLW. Separation of VLW from wastes with higher levels of radioactivity is a simple process. If certain waste streams are de-regulated, plant radwaste operating and monitoring procedures may need adjustment to ensure and document that only exempt materials are being released from the licensee's control