Radioactive materials are a regular part of many tools of progress across various industries.
Safe practices for the storage, use, and disposal of radioactive materials have been developed (spurred on by the stigma associated with past devastating events relating to radioactivity) such that radiological technology is used prolifically in academia, the aerospace industry, food processing, and more. It even is a central part of diagnostic medicine. This article will examine the typical process for radiological (rad) waste disposal and offer solutions for streamlining waste stream management.
What is Radiological Waste?
Any waste containing or contaminated with radioactive material, also known as radionuclides, is considered radiological waste. It is a violation of federal and state regulations to not have an appropriate system for rad waste disposal and to treat this kind of waste as normal trash. A radiation safety program should be well established before radioactive materials or radiological technology is used or handled within a facility. These regulations have been put in place because exposure to high levels of radiation, even for a short time, can lead to a condition known as “radiation sickness,” characterized by vomiting and nausea within hours of exposure and can result in death over a couple of days or weeks. Furthermore, studies have shown that people exposed to low levels of radiation arising from their occupation or contaminated environments over long periods are at a higher risk of developing cancers and other genetic anomalies.
Determining whether a waste stream is radioactive requires instrumentation that should be sensitive enough to distinguish minute increases in radioactivity. The Geiger-Mueller detector is a common instrument used in laboratories to detect the radioactivity of different materials and substances. However, this method of detection is incapable of detecting some low-energy radiation. As such, facilities, especially those handling materials that are known emitters of low-energy radiation, also use a scintillation counter that can detect these radionuclides. Without these detection tools, it is standard practice to assume that surfaces and materials exposed to unsealed radioactive substances have already been contaminated and will need to be submitted to the appropriate protocols for rad waste disposal.
Rad Waste Disposal and Waste Stream Management
Given the adverse impacts of radioactive materials, the proper management of radioactive waste is critical to safeguard the safety of personnel, protect public health, and prevent environmental leakage. Adequate management of radioactive wastes ensures regulatory compliance, avoiding hefty fines and the potential for negative reception of operations. Radioactive waste stream management starts with proper segregation. Facilities and laboratories generally group these wastes according to the following categories:
- Liquid radioactive wastes – these are radioactive wastes in liquid form and can be either an aqueous (dissolved in water) or an organic solution.
- Solid and dry radioactive wastes – these wastes are solid discarded wastes such as gloves and paper towels.
- Contaminated sharps – these radioactive wastes include needles, syringes, and broken glassware.
- Scintillation vials – scintillation vials are commonly used when measuring the radioactivity of a sample.
- Radioactive pathological wastes – biological samples contaminated with radioactive material belong to this group and include wastes such as animal carcasses and organs and biological cultures.
- Lead materials – items such as lead shields are used to block radiation and lead pigs are used to store radioactive materials.
- Mixed radioactive wastes – these are radioactive materials mixed with chemical wastes.
Once radiological wastes have been segregated according to their bulk form, facilities must further group them according to their radioisotope for more efficient rad waste disposal. Each radioisotope has its corresponding half-life, measured as the time it takes for half of the original radioactive material to decay into a more stable form. Radioactive decay involves the release of radiation. As such, waste stream management must account for half-life times in a waste storage solution. Storing waste according to half-lives makes the storage, treatment, and disposal of these materials safer and more cost-effective.
Implementing Software to Streamline Waste Stream Management
Tracking the identities, quantities, and locations of various radiological wastes in a facility requires a robust system of checks, as any changes in these parameters trigger a corresponding action to make sure all information is up to date. Additionally, coordinating radioactive waste pickup by external vendors requires complete documentation and authorization from authorized personnel. With the assistance of software, keeping track of all these different waste parameters is a much simpler process. Integrating software with barcodes and RFID tags on waste containers, for instance, can help with the storing of quick, secure access to relevant information regarding the quantities, types, and current location of radioactive wastes. Waste management software uses digital workflows to authorize the secure movement of wastes, ensuring proper documentation and tracking of radioactive decay.
Proper waste stream management of radiological materials necessitates segregation and accurate recordkeeping to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain a positive reputation. As tracking the identities, quantities, and locations of rad waste disposal requires the continual calculation of half-lives and participation by certified persons at a facility, these processes can be extremely challenging. However, implementing a software solution can streamline this complex task, ensure every activity is compliant with ALARA, and offer real-time calculations of radioactivity to keep waste stream management as safe as possible.
Publisher Bio
The SafetyStratus Research Advisory Group (RAG) brings together thought leaders from the global environmental, health, and safety community to promote best practices and provide key insights in the profession and the industries they serve. The Research Advisory Group also advocates, where practical, the intersection of and advances with the use of technology, such as the SafetyStratus enterprise EHS software platform. Group membership consists of representatives from across varied disciplines and market sectors as well as select members of the SafetyStratus team.
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