Re: high-level and low-level

["Davidson, Scott" <sdavidso@health.ohio.gov>]

     LOW LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE MEANS RADIOACTIVE MATERIAL THAT IS NOT 
     HIGH LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE, SPENT NUCLEAR FUEL,OR BYPRODUCT MATERIAL 
     (11E(2)) OF THE ATOMIC ENERGY ACT OF 1954
     
     PERSONAL E-MAIL ADDRESS BSDNUKE@AOL.COM


______________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: high-level and low-level
Author:  radsafe@romulus.ehs.uiuc.edu at Internet
Date:    2/26/97 9:27 AM


I am constantly hearing the argument that the government 
and the nuclear industry are trying to deceive the public
through the use of the term low-level radioactive waste.  The 
argument starts off by implying that the term low-level 
radioactive waste is supposed to mean that there are low levels 
of radiation/radioactivity associated with it and then goes on 
to demonstrate that some low-level radioactive
waste actually has very high levels of radiation/radioactivity in 
it.
     
I think that the premise of the argument is false, so my 
question is this:  What are the origins of the terms low-level 
and high-level with regard to radioactive waste.  
     
I know the NRC definitions, but they don't really answer the 
question.  I have heard, but asides from the above never seen 
in print, two explanations.  First, that the terms refer to the 
amount of heat generated in the waste, and second that the 
terms are associated with the nuclear fuel cycle (i.e., 
low-level radioactive waste is associated with a first-order 
magnitude nuclear fuel cycle (open-cycle) and high-level 
radioactive wastes are associated with a second-order
magnitude nuclear fuel cycle (closed-cycle).  Neither 
explanation seems complete and has obvious exceptions.
     
I would appreciate any information anyone could give 
(especially references).
     
Thanks in advance.
     
William J. McCabe, Health Physicist
Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission 
P.O. Box 13087
MC-131
Austin, Texas  78711-3087
wmccabe@tnrcc.state.tx.us
(512) 239-2252     fax: (512)239-6362