Comparison of Classification Systems for Radioactive and Hazardous Chemical Wastes

4 Comparison of Classification Systems for Radioactive and Hazardous Chemical Wastes 

The existing classification systems for radioactive and hazardous chemical wastes in the United States and approaches to disposal of 

The similarities are of the following kinds. First, neither classification system includes a general class of exempt waste. Second, neither classification system is comprehensive, because the classification system for radioactive waste distinguishes between fuel-cycle and NARM waste and the classification system for hazardous chemical waste excludes many potentially important wastes that contain hazardous chemicals. Third, any waste must be managed and disposed of in a manner that is expected to protect public health and the environment. In addition, the approach to disposal of hazardous chemical waste under RCRA, which emphasizes monitoring of releases from disposal facilities and an intention to maintain institutional control over disposal sites for as long as the waste remains hazardous, is applied to disposal of uranium or thorium mill tailings under AEA. 

There also are two important differences. First, the classification system for radioactive waste from the nuclear fuel cycle includes different classes that are defined based essentially on the source of the waste. In addition, some classes of fuel-cycle waste (e.g., high-level waste) often, but not always, contain higher concentrations of radionuclides than other classes (e.g., low-level waste) and, thus, pose a greater hazard in waste management and disposal. The classification system for hazardous chemical waste does not distinguish between hazardous wastes based on their source, with the exception of the K list of wastes from specific sources. Additionally, hazardous chemical wastes are not further classified based on their relative hazard (i.e., there is only one class of hazardous chemical waste). 

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