Re: Decay in storage for mixed waste

[Dewey_A_Jr_Burbank@RL.gov]

The EPA and NRC have issued draft guidance on just this topic.  It can be found 
at  http://www.epa.gov/radiation/mixed-waste/mw_pg27.htm

Basically, the answer to your question is that you can use a survey instrument 
to demonstrate that the activity is at background and then it is not Mixed any 
more, just hazardous.

-------------------------------------------------------
Dewey A Burbank Jr            SGN Eurisys Services Corp
Principal Engineer                          MSIN# H5-27
(509)372-0855                                PO Box 840
dewey_a_jr_burbank@rl.gov            Richland, WA 99352
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_____________________________ Reply Separator _________________________________
Subject: Decay in storage for mixed waste
Author:  james.tracy@nist.gov at -MailLink
Date:    6/17/97 3:35 PM


I'm looking for guidance on disposal of short half life mixed waste.   
Our license currently permits us to store the waste for 10 half lives, 
survey with a meter, and dispose as clean if radiation levels are at 
background.

The waste is currently in a 20 liter carboy with P-32 activity of 0.025 
microcurie/ml (500 microcurie total).  It's in a DNA rinse solution which 
is normally (when not radioactive) disposed of as chemically hazardous 
waste (sent to an incinerator).  What I'd like to do is let the P-32 decay 
and dispose of it as a chemical waste.  Sounds easy right.  Well here's my 
problem.

1)  The carboy has a thick plastic wall and the solution is self 
shielding.  Thus my survey method will not be very sensitive.

2)  If I analyze via liquid scintillation, I will see positive numbers. 
By calculation the activity will be 2E-5 microcurie per ml (0.5 microcurie 
total).  Readily detected via liquid scintillation.  How hard do I have to 
look?

There are release limits for sewer disposal and in liquid effluents but I 
want to send the material as "non-radioactive" to a chemical waste 
facility.  Is there anyone out there who disposes of the same or similar 
material as "clean"?  If so, what procedures do you use?   Any advice or 
suggestions on handling this problem would be appreciated.



James Tracy
NIST
Gaithersburg, MD 20899
301-975-5800
email: james.tracy@nist.gov

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Subject: Decay in storage for mixed waste
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