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Minimization & Disposal Help
Attached is some information that is currently being distributed to our
customers. I believe this is a good forum for this information as well.
There are phone contacts mentioned, but if you need further info or assistance
please contact:
DuPont NEN Research Products - Technical Support
at NEN_TECH@wmvx.dnet.dupont.com
Best Regards,
Charles Ott
Regulatory Update:
Radioactive Waste Minimization in the Research Laboratory
As waste disposal costs increase, users of radioactive materials are searching
for new ways to minimize waste. For several years, larger waste generators have
directed both financial and material resources toward implementing
state-of-the-art waste management techniques to reduce the volume of waste
targeted for disposal sites. However, these techniques are not limited to large
waste generators. Smaller waste generators can also adopt strategies to
significantly reduce waste at little cost.
Choose the Best Radioactive Material
Before choosing the best radioactive material for your operation,carefully plan
the proposed use of radioactive materials and estimate the amount of waste
the amount of waste that will be generated.Radioactive materials can be
selected based on the long usage time and infrequent replacement intervals.
If you have a choice between several radionuclides, select those with short
half-lives, such as 35S, or those with half-lives less than 65 days -- 131I,
125I, 33P or 32P.
You can obtain a license that allows these short-lived wastes to be temporarily
held for decay and subsequently disposed of as non-radioactive waste.
If your use 14C or 3H, remember that low concentrations of biological and LSC
waste can be disposed of as non-radioactive waste. Careful planning will help
ensure that concentration limits are met. If you plan to incinerate
biological waste, make sure that the incinerator is licensed to accept the
anticipated quantity of radioactivity.
Recover, Repurify and Reuse Waste
While planning chemical processes, look for opportunities to recover, repurify
and reuse by-products to avoid discarding them as waste. If you use several
different operations, determine if a particular sequence can be selected to
enable the by-products of one operation to be consumed in a subsequent
operation. Also, network with other users in your facility to share and reuse
radioactive material.
Avoid Contamination
Operations and Procedures
Plan and practice operations to ensure that non-radioactive items are not
inad-vertently contaminated. Select reagents and practices to avoid combining
radioactive and EPA-listed hazardous materials, which form "mixed waste" that
cannot be currently disposed. Confine operations with radioactive material to
designated areas that are properly equipped to minimize the spread of
contamination. this may involve processing radiocompounds in closed systems or
employing handling tools, spill trays, & polyethylene and aluminum foil
coverings. Use non-porous equipment and working surfaces for easier cleaning
and frequent re-use. Cleaning techniques should be designed to avoid
generating large volumes of waste or waste that is difficult to treat.
Segregation Techniques
Use segregation techniques to avoid contaminating non-radioactive materials and
supplies. Separate packaging materials outside the area designated
for handling radioactivity. Segregate containers and tools used to handle
radioactive and non-radioactive materials. Maintain segregation by conspicuous
color coding and systematic procedures. Segregate the handling of long- and
short-lived radionuclides so that waste containing short-lived radioactivity
can be separated and held for decay.
Protective Apparel
Consider using reusable protective clothing, such as cotton lab coats. When the
potential for contamination is low, consider laundering protective clothing to
avoid disposal. When items are partially contaminated, consider cutting out the
contaminated portion for disposal as radioactive waste.
If the apparel is to be reused, separated or laundered, ensure that there
is access to sensitive, contamination monitoring equipment appropriate for the
radionuclides anticipated. Use these monitors regularly and carefully to assist
in controlling contamination and in promptly & safely segregating contaminated
and non-contaminated waste. Clearly label waste to ensure that it is not
inadvertently mixed.
Purchase Waste-Minimizing Equipment
Inexpensive, commercially available equipment can reduce the volume of waste
fivefold to tenfold. Consider the use of compactors,shredders and vial crushers
to reduce volume. Payback periods for such equipment often range from a few
months to several years. Experiment with separation of waste forms for optimal
volume reduction by compaction.When planning to use volume reduction techniques
consider the ultimate concentration of the waste and the weight of the waste
containeers to ensure compliance with transportation and disposal limitations.
Train Employees
In planning and maintaining operations that generate radioactive waste, ensure
that all involved individuals are trained in waste minimization techniques.
Where possible, provide training that helps individuals with separate
responsibilities work together to optimize waste minimization.Make at least one
person in the organization responsible for tracking new ideas and developments
that may affect waste costs and disposal access.
Follow Up
If unnecessary waste is inadvertently generated, determine the cause and take
preventive measures. Make sure that everyone involved in generating waste is
fully aware of the costs. If possible, provide feedback on the costs of
individual practices.
If you have any questions on waste disposal management, call Lou Todisco
(617-350-9100) or George Anderson (617-350-9639) at DuPont NEN Research
Products.
Also Technical Support can be reached at NEN_TECH@wmvx.dnet.dupont.com
or 1-800-772-2636