Radioactive Waste Disposal Key Terms

Learn how radioactive waste disposal is bigger than you think

Radioactive waste disposal can be tricky and confusing to someone who has never worked with the terms or processes before. So familiarizing yourself with the terms, definitions and general knowledge of the industry will better prepare you to speak to reps, converse in the field and discuss topics with coworkers. There are multiple levels of radioactive waste, and each comes with its own jargon. Knowing the lingo will help better prepare you to stay safe and protected in your work environment and in those that you are visiting.

 

Low-level waste (LLW)

Low-level waste refers to radioactive waste products that can contaminate your clothing, tools, filters, rags, medical tubes and other items that aren't necessarily the irradiated item itself.
Try: Find out more about low-level waste and more from the Office of Environmental Management.

Waste incidental to reprocessing (WIR)

Waste incidental to reprocessing (WIR) is when waste byproducts come from the reprocessing of nuclear fuel.
Try: The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission goes into detail about waste incidental to reprocessing.

High-level waste (HLW)

High-level waste (HLW) is irradiated waste or used nuclear reactor fuel.
Try: Take a look at the high-level radioactive waste information from the Nuclear Information and Resource Service.

Uranium mill tailings

After uranium is extracted through the milling of ore during the mining process, one thing that is left is a radioactive, sand-like material that is called uranium mill tailings.
Try: Find out more about radioactive waste from uranium mill tailings at Environment, Health and Safety Online.

Neutralization, deactivation

Neutralization and deactivation of radioactive waste removes the radioactive properties of the materials in whatever molecular form they're in.
Try: Check out the list of Methods of Neutralizing or Disposing of Radioactive Waste from FreeEnergyNews.com.

Contingency and emergency response

Contingency and emergency response services are vital to the radioactive waste disposal industry. They keep those in the field up-to-date on proper protocol, allowing them to keep a step ahead of the next disaster. They also allow you to run drills, prepare kits and inform staff ahead of time what the necessary steps are in case of a critical disaster in relation to radioactive waste.
Try: Look at information and solutions from GZA GeoEnvironmental on contingency and emergency response services. Proper preparation may save lives at your company, so investing in an adequate emergency plan of action should be one you are willing to make.

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