Summary of BNL studies regarding commercial mixed waste

Conference · Mon Sep 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986

OSTI ID:5262453

Bowerman, B S; Kempf, C R; MacKenzie, D R; Siskind, B; Piciulo, P L

Based on BNL's study it was concluded that there are low-level radioactive wastes (LLWs) which contain chemically hazardous components. Scintillation liquids may be considered an EPA listed hazardous waste and are, therefore, potential mixed wastes. Since November 1985, no operating LLW disposal site will accept these wastes for disposal. Unless such wastes contain de minimis quantities of radionuclides, they cannot be disposed of at an EPA permitted site. Currently generators of liquid scintillation wastes can ship de minimis wastes to be burned at commercial facilities. Oil wastes may also eventually be an EPA listed waste and thus will have to be considered a potential radioactive mixed waste unless NRC establishes de minimis levels of radionuclides below which oils can be managed as hazardous wastes. Regarding wastes containing lead metal there is some question as to the extent of the hazard posed by lead disposed in a LLW burial trench. Chromium-containing wastes would have to be tested to determine whether they are potential mixed wastes. There may be other wastes that are mixed wastes; the responsibility for determining this rests with the waste generator. While management options for handling potential mixed wastes are available, there is limited regulatory guidance for generators. BNL has identified and evaluated a variety of treatment options for the management of potential radioactive mixed wastes. The findings of that study showed that application of a management option with the purpose of addressing EPA concerns can, at the same time, address stabilization and volume reduction concerns of NRC. 6 refs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Brookhaven National Lab., Upton, NY (USA). Nuclear Waste Management Div.
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-76CH00016
• OSTI ID: 5262453
• Report Number(s): BNL-NUREG-38581; CONF-860990-2; ON: TI87000004
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

052002* -- Nuclear Fuels-- Waste Disposal & Storage
12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE WASTES FROM NUCLEAR FACILITIES
CHEMICAL WASTES
CHROMIUM
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
LEAD
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
MIXTURES
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES