Radioactive Waste Disposal: Low-Level Radioactive Waste
Low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) is defined in the law by what
it is not. It does not include radioactive wastes that are high
level such as spent nuclear fuel, transuranic waste produced by the
defense nuclear weapons program, tailings and other by-products of
uranium mining and recovery, naturally occurring radioactive
material (NORM), and oil and gas NORM
waste. Consequently, LLRW is part of a broad category of nuclear
waste. Nuclear waste is a generic term that is used to refer to all
of the various types of wastes stated above. LLRW is, however, a
separate well-defined category with a precise classification system
and associated concentration limits for each waste class. The
Atomic Energy Authority (AEA) divides responsibility for LLRW
between the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and the Department
of Energy (DOE). The DOE 
is
self-regulating and is responsible for managing and safely
dismantling excess nuclear weapons, disposal of surplus fissile
nuclear materials, and ensuring the security of nuclear assets. The
DOE also develops and ensures the safety and reliability of nuclear
reactor plants to power Navy warships.
Sources of LLRW
Non-DOE LLRW in Texas is produced predominantly by nuclear utilities, academic and medical research institutions, hospitals, industry, and the military. LLRW typically consists of radioactively contaminated trash such as paper, rags, plastic, glassware, syringes, protective clothing (gloves, coveralls), cardboard, packaging material, organic material, spent pharmaceuticals, used (decayed) sealed radioactive sources, and water-treatment residues. Nuclear power plants contribute the largest portion of LLRW in the form of contaminated ion exchange resins and filters, tools, clothing, and irradiated metals and other hardware. LLRW does not include waste from nuclear weapons manufacturing or from U.S. Navy nuclear propulsion systems.
Regulation of LLRW
Commercial or non-DOE LLRW is regulated by the Agreement States
or NRC. Under the Texas Radiation Control Act (TRCA), disposal of
low-level radioactive waste is regulated by the TCEQ.
Rules for licensing of a LLRW disposal facility
include detailed technical and performance requirements. The Texas
Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Radiation
Control
regulates the processing and storage of LLRW.
Texas is a member of the Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Compact with the state of Vermont. The compact allows exclusive disposal of the LLRW generated within the member states to be disposed of in a LLRW disposal facility constructed within any of those states. Texas will be the host state for the compact disposal facility.
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