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Radioactive Waste
Why is it difficult to find a sustainable solution for managing radioactive waste?
People often talk about radioactive waste management as being a complex issue. But why is it complicated to find an effective, sustainable solution for radioactive waste?
- What is radioactive waste?
- Why is it hazardous?
- Why can't different types of radioactive waste be processed in the same way?
- What are the different management solutions available?
What is radioactive waste?
Sources of radioactive waste in France
Radioactive waste encompasses all the radioactive products created artificially by humans that cannot be reused. This mainly includes spent nuclear fuel and all materials that have been irradiated during the operational life of a nuclear power plant, but also substances used in hospitals and various industries, as well as those produced by research laboratories and the defense industry.
Why is it hazardous?
Radioactive waste goes through a process known as radioactive decay.
Over time, radioactive atoms break down into several smaller atoms which are also radioactive and break down in turn. (1)
This chained series of transformations is known as radioactive cascades. (2)
The process keeps reoccurring until the radioactive elements decay to stable lead or thallium, for example. During each step of the decay chain, extremely harmful ionizing radiation is released. (3)
While radioactive decay is completely foreseeable, it cannot be controlled.
Why can't different types of radioactive waste be processed in the same way?
Different types of radioactive waste can present very different characteristics. To identify the most appropriate management solution for each type of radioactive waste, the inherent risk must be evaluated based on the waste’s:
(and, for certain types, attraction to certain tissues or organs of the body,
a phenomenon known as organotropism)
a phenomenon known as organotropism)
What are the different management solutions available?
© IDIX for planete-energies.com
Radioactive waste forms the basis of artificial radioactivity. Unlike diffuse natural radioactivity, the radioactivity from nuclear waste is concentrated in areas such as production and storage sites. Some of the components will remain active for thousands of years. The solution for managing this waste is to store it in deep geological repositories. However, no site can yet guarantee absolute safety.