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U.S. Department of Energy
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The medical community's need for a BRC policy

Conference · · Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States)
OSTI ID:6967912
 [1]
  1. Mallinckrodt Medical, Inc., Maryland Heights, MO (United States)
The quality of medical care in the United States is among the best in the world. The use of radioactive materials in medicine has led to advances in biomedical research, medical diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic procedures. Radioactive materials in medicine offer modalities that would not otherwise be available. With advances in nuclear medicine, positron emission tomography, and monoclonal antibodies, it is clear that the use of radioactive materials in medicine will be prevalent for quite some time into the future. Disposal of both by-product and naturally occurring and accelerator-produced radioactive material below-regulatory-concern (BRC) waste has been occurring for years. It is a safe and effective method for disposing of this medical radioactive waste. Without an effective, nationwide BRC policy, the medical community may be forced to send this waste to a LLW landfill, which is unnecessary and extremely costly. These additional costs for waste disposal will divert needed money for medical research programs and increase the cost of medical care while providing no increased protection of the public.
OSTI ID:
6967912
Report Number(s):
CONF-920606--
Conference Information:
Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (United States) Journal Volume: 65
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English