Radioactive materials, definitions special nuclear material

Hazardous chemical waste is defined in RCRA regulations as a solid waste that exhibits the characteristic of ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity, or is a specifically listed waste. The definition of hazardous waste specifically excludes radioactive material (source, special nuclear, or byproduct material) defined in AEA. 

The definition of solid waste in RCRA specifically excludes source, special nuclear, and byproduct materials as defined in AEA. Therefore, radioactive constituents of wastes that arise from operations of the nuclear fuel cycle are excluded from regulation as hazardous waste under RCRA. 

The statutory definitions of low-level waste apply only to radioactive waste that arises from operations of the nuclear fuel cycle i.e., to waste that contains source, special nuclear, or byproduct material as defined in AEA (see Section 4.1.2.1). This restriction, although not explicit in the definitions, is indicated by the applicability of NWPA and LLRWPAA to fuel-cycle waste only and by the reference to NRC, which can only regulate fuel-cycle waste. Thus, low-level waste does not include NARM waste. 

NRC has developed licensing criteria for near-surface disposal of waste that contains source, special nuclear, or byproduct materials in 10 CFR Part 61 (NRC, 1982a). These regulations are intended to apply primarily to disposal of commercial low-level waste. They do not include a definition of low-level waste but essentially defer to the current statutory definition in the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1985. Thus, low-level waste can include wastes with high concentrations of radionuclides that are not generally acceptable for near-surface disposal in accordance with the licensing criteria in 10 CFR Part 61 (NRC, 1982a). 

Area with access controlled in order to protect individuals from exposure to radiation or radioactive material. The Reactor Laboratory, Room 132, Room 43, and Room 5 of our area are restricted areas, both from this definition and also from a security viewpoint to assure control of radioactive or special nuclear material. 

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