Radioactive elements are present in all materials. They contain either naturally occurring radioactive materials or traces of man-made radioactive substances produced from human activities. The latter is called radioactive waste. The radio-nuclides present in radioactive waste have different half lives. Most of the have shorter half lives and a few have longer half lives.
The main goal we pursue is the protection of public health, safety and the environment in which we live. This means we should be in a position to manage safely all types of the wastes generated, and at same time clarify the “complex” picture of the radioactive waste management to enable better public understanding.
The major part of the radioactive waste generated is of low level. This only means that the radioactivity content is very low and such a waste can be safely disposed off into the environment in a controlled manner. Stringent regulations apply for such disposals. The amount of so called “high level waste” is very low. This waste is allowed to dispose off into the environment. As of today, the high level waste is stored in well designed storage facilities with continuous surveillance. An emergency plan is in place to take care of any abnormal situations, such as leakages.
Now comes the disposal part of this high level waste. The technology to immobilize (i.e., convert into glass form and made insoluble in water) this waste is available, proved and the plants are operating worldwide. India is one of the very few countries who have mastered this technique. International cooperation and consensus on the approaches on disposal strategies for high level waste are pursued very seriously by the International, non-governmental agencies such as International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Disposal plans for this immobilized high level waste is facing difficulties mainly due to lack of public acceptance of the disposal concept. There is no doubt in the technology, which is available and proven. A good safety record has been established in the field. But still the fears about safety persist in the minds of the public.
May be one should consider other options, such as use of the radio-nuclides present in the waste by separating them and use them as radioactive sources for other beneficial applications in industry. This way one can reduce further the quantity of the long-lived high level waste.
The immobilized high level waste package, which is well designed to withstand all abnormal conditions underground, can be permanently and safely disposed off in well identified stable geological formations, such as ancient salt domes or granite tunnels several hundred meters below surface. There is no possibility of radioactivity from these packages getting into the biosphere for thousands of years. The multiple natural and engineered barriers ensure long-term confinement and would protect against any human intrusion in the future. Further, continuous surveillance should be provided for these disposal sites for extended time periods. Some degree of explicit provisions may be planned in the design for retrievability of the waste disposed in the geological formations. These actions and assurance of safety of future generations by the government will build-up public confidence and gain acceptance.
The main goal we pursue is the protection of public health, safety and the environment in which we live. This means we should be in a position to manage safely all types of the wastes generated, and at same time clarify the “complex” picture of the radioactive waste management to enable better public understanding.
The major part of the radioactive waste generated is of low level. This only means that the radioactivity content is very low and such a waste can be safely disposed off into the environment in a controlled manner. Stringent regulations apply for such disposals. The amount of so called “high level waste” is very low. This waste is allowed to dispose off into the environment. As of today, the high level waste is stored in well designed storage facilities with continuous surveillance. An emergency plan is in place to take care of any abnormal situations, such as leakages.
Now comes the disposal part of this high level waste. The technology to immobilize (i.e., convert into glass form and made insoluble in water) this waste is available, proved and the plants are operating worldwide. India is one of the very few countries who have mastered this technique. International cooperation and consensus on the approaches on disposal strategies for high level waste are pursued very seriously by the International, non-governmental agencies such as International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Disposal plans for this immobilized high level waste is facing difficulties mainly due to lack of public acceptance of the disposal concept. There is no doubt in the technology, which is available and proven. A good safety record has been established in the field. But still the fears about safety persist in the minds of the public.
May be one should consider other options, such as use of the radio-nuclides present in the waste by separating them and use them as radioactive sources for other beneficial applications in industry. This way one can reduce further the quantity of the long-lived high level waste.
The immobilized high level waste package, which is well designed to withstand all abnormal conditions underground, can be permanently and safely disposed off in well identified stable geological formations, such as ancient salt domes or granite tunnels several hundred meters below surface. There is no possibility of radioactivity from these packages getting into the biosphere for thousands of years. The multiple natural and engineered barriers ensure long-term confinement and would protect against any human intrusion in the future. Further, continuous surveillance should be provided for these disposal sites for extended time periods. Some degree of explicit provisions may be planned in the design for retrievability of the waste disposed in the geological formations. These actions and assurance of safety of future generations by the government will build-up public confidence and gain acceptance.
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