Low Level Radioactive Waste Handling and Disposal 1980

The disposal of low level radioactive waste (LLRW) is only the end of the radioactive material life cycle that spans its production, use, processing, interim storage, and disposal. In general the cycle starts with procurement of the radioisotopes that have medical, industrial, agricultural, and research applications. The isotopes come in either sealed or unsealed sources. While a metal container shields a sealed source, unsealed sources remain accessible in a glass vial or other type of container. Common uses of this radioactive material are in radiotherapy, radiography, smoke detectors, irradiation and sterilization of food and materials, gauging, and illumination of emergency exit signs. In the course of working with these materials, other material, such as protective clothing and gloves, pipes, filters, and concrete that come in contact with them will become contaminated. The nuclear utility industry generates the bulk of this LLRW through the normal operation and maintenance of nuclear power plants, and when these plants are decommissioned. Once these materials have served their purpose, they are recycled or become LLRW. LLRW can be processed by those licensed to use these materials or by specialized companies to reduce the volume and sometimes the radioactivity level of the waste before it is either put into a licensed interim storage or a disposal facility. After a period of storage, some LLRW can decay to the point that it is safe for disposal in regulated landfill sites. For detailed look at the issues surrounding the disposal of LLRW, link to the 2004 United States General Accounting Office report: LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE at http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04604.pdf . This clip is from the 1980 Disney film, The Atom: A Closer Look, available at the Internet Archives.

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Education

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• radioactive
• waste
• nuclear
• power
• hazardous
• material
• handling
• disposal
• environmental
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• worker
• OSHA
• NIOSH
• EPA
• DOE
• NRC
• NIEHS
• hazwoper
• ALARA
• industrial
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[coolpilot2001]

there are FREE clothes buried under the earth somewhere?