What is radioactive waste?

Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission - CNSC

3 Jan 202302:50

Summary

TLDRRadioactive waste includes any material that contains radioactive substances with no foreseeable use. In Canada, there are four classes: uranium mine and mill waste, low-level, intermediate-level, and high-level radioactive waste. Uranium mine and mill waste consists of tailings and rock from uranium ore processing. Low-level waste includes items like equipment and clothing from nuclear facilities, requiring isolation for up to several hundred years. Intermediate-level waste contains long-lived radionuclides, requiring longer containment. High-level waste, primarily used nuclear fuel, generates significant heat and radioactivity, needing long-term isolation. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates all types of radioactive waste to ensure public safety.

Takeaways

💡 Radioactive waste includes liquid, gas, or solid materials containing radioactive substances with no foreseeable use.
🛠️ There are four general classes of radioactive waste in Canada: uranium mine and mill waste, low level waste, intermediate level waste, and high level waste.
⛏️ Uranium mine and mill waste consists of tailings (fine sand) and waste rock (gravel) from mining and milling uranium ore.
📉 Low level radioactive waste is more radioactive than clearance levels allow and requires containment for up to several hundred years.
🏭 Nuclear power plants, research reactors, and isotope manufacturers produce low level waste, which includes items like equipment, clothing, and decommissioned parts.
⚛️ Intermediate level radioactive waste contains long-lived radionuclides and requires containment for more than several hundred years.
🧪 Nuclear facilities and research reactors generate intermediate level waste in the form of old components, resins, and radioactive sources used in therapy.
🔥 High level radioactive waste is primarily used nuclear fuel, which generates significant heat and remains highly radioactive.
⚠️ High level waste needs long-term isolation and is produced by nuclear power plants and research reactors.
🔒 The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates all types of radioactive waste to ensure safety for people and the environment.

Q & A

What is radioactive waste?
-Radioactive waste is any liquid, gas, or solid that contains a radioactive nuclear substance and has no foreseeable use.
What are the four general classes of radioactive waste in Canada?
-The four general classes are uranium mine and mill waste, low-level radioactive waste, intermediate-level radioactive waste, and high-level radioactive waste.
What is uranium mine and mill waste?
-Uranium mine and mill waste includes tailings and waste rock generated by the mining and milling of uranium ore. Tailings have a fine sand consistency, while waste rock consists of gravel and broken rock.
What is low-level radioactive waste and where does it come from?
-Low-level radioactive waste is more radioactive than clearance levels and requires isolation for up to several hundred years. It comes from nuclear power plants, research reactors, radioisotope manufacturers, uranium refining, and nuclear fuel fabrication facilities.
What forms can low-level radioactive waste take?
-It can come in various forms, such as used equipment, paper, cables, clothing, decommissioned parts, and even mops.
What is intermediate-level radioactive waste?
-Intermediate-level radioactive waste contains long-lived radionuclides that emit radiation. It requires isolation for longer than several hundred years.
Which facilities produce intermediate-level radioactive waste?
-Nuclear power plants, prototype and research reactors, test facilities, and radioisotope manufacturers and users produce intermediate-level radioactive waste.
What are some examples of intermediate-level radioactive waste?
-Examples include refurbishment waste such as old components, ion exchange resins, and some radioactive sources used in radiation therapy.
What is high-level radioactive waste?
-High-level radioactive waste is primarily used nuclear fuel that generates significant heat and radioactivity, requiring long-term isolation.
Who regulates radioactive waste in Canada?
-The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates all classes and forms of radioactive waste to protect people's health and safety, as well as the environment.

Outlines

00:00

💡 What is Radioactive Waste?

Radioactive waste is any substance—solid, liquid, or gas—containing radioactive nuclear material that has no foreseeable use. Canada classifies radioactive waste into four categories: uranium mine and mill waste, low-level radioactive waste, intermediate-level radioactive waste, and high-level radioactive waste. These classifications help manage and isolate waste based on its radioactivity levels and potential environmental impact.

🏞️ Uranium Mine and Mill Waste

The first class of radioactive waste is uranium mine and mill waste, which includes tailings (fine sand-like material) and waste rock (gravel and broken rock) produced during uranium ore mining and milling. This type of waste is a byproduct of the extraction and processing of uranium, a key element in nuclear energy production.

🧹 Low-Level Radioactive Waste

Low-level radioactive waste is more radioactive than what is permitted by clearance levels and requires isolation for up to several hundred years. This type of waste is generated by nuclear power plants, research reactors, test facilities, and various other nuclear-related industries. It includes items like used equipment, paper, clothing, decommissioned parts, and even mops.

⚛️ Intermediate-Level Radioactive Waste

Intermediate-level radioactive waste contains long-lived radionuclides, which emit radiation and require isolation for more than several hundred years. This waste is produced by nuclear power plants, research reactors, and facilities that manufacture radioisotopes. Examples include old components from reactor refurbishment, ion exchange resins, and certain radioactive sources used in medical treatments like radiation therapy.

🔥 High-Level Radioactive Waste

High-level radioactive waste primarily consists of used nuclear fuel and a small amount of highly radioactive waste that generates significant heat. This waste, still highly radioactive, requires long-term isolation due to its potential health and environmental hazards. It is mainly produced by nuclear power plants, research reactors, and test facilities.

🔒 Regulating Radioactive Waste in Canada

In Canada, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) is responsible for regulating all classes and forms of radioactive waste to ensure the safety of the public and the environment. Their regulations cover every aspect of radioactive waste management. For more information, individuals can visit NuclearSafety.gc.ca.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste refers to any solid, liquid, or gas that contains radioactive nuclear substances and has no foreseeable use. This waste is a key focus of the video and is categorized based on its source, radiation levels, and required containment measures. Proper handling and disposal are essential to protect human health and the environment.

💡Uranium Mine and Mill Waste

This type of radioactive waste includes tailings and waste rock produced during the mining and milling of uranium ore. Tailings are fine sand-like materials, while waste rock consists of gravel and broken rock. The video explains that this is one of the four main classes of radioactive waste in Canada, emphasizing the unique characteristics of waste from uranium extraction.

💡Low Level Radioactive Waste

Low level radioactive waste includes materials with higher radioactivity than clearance levels permit but does not require long-term isolation like higher-level waste. It comes from sources like nuclear power plants, research reactors, and isotope manufacturers, and includes items like used equipment, paper, and decommissioned parts. This waste requires containment for up to several hundred years.

💡Intermediate Level Radioactive Waste

Intermediate level radioactive waste contains long-lived radionuclides that emit significant radiation. It requires isolation for longer than several hundred years due to its persistent radioactivity. This waste comes from facilities like nuclear power plants and research reactors and includes items such as ion exchange resins and old components.

💡High Level Radioactive Waste

High level radioactive waste mainly consists of used nuclear fuel, which remains highly radioactive and generates heat. This type of waste requires long-term isolation. It is produced by nuclear power plants and research reactors, making it the most dangerous and difficult to manage of all the waste categories discussed in the video.

💡Tailings

Tailings are a byproduct of uranium mining and milling, with a consistency similar to fine sand. They are part of uranium mine and mill waste and contain radioactive substances, which require careful management. The video highlights tailings as a key component of waste from uranium ore processing.

💡Radionuclides

Radionuclides are radioactive elements that emit radiation, found in intermediate and high-level waste. These long-lived radioactive particles are a primary reason for the extended containment requirements of certain waste types. The video mentions radionuclides in relation to intermediate level waste, where their presence necessitates long-term storage solutions.

💡Containment

Containment refers to the process of isolating radioactive waste to prevent the release of harmful radiation. Different types of waste require different containment periods, ranging from a few decades to thousands of years. The video emphasizes the need for containment, especially for low and intermediate level waste, to protect public health and the environment.

💡Used Nuclear Fuel

Used nuclear fuel is the primary component of high level radioactive waste. After being used in reactors, the fuel remains highly radioactive and generates heat, necessitating long-term isolation. The video explains that this waste is produced by nuclear power plants and is a significant challenge in radioactive waste management.

💡Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission is the regulatory body responsible for overseeing the management of all classes of radioactive waste in Canada. Its role is to ensure the safety of people and the environment by enforcing regulations on waste handling and disposal. The video references the Commission as the authority safeguarding public health.

Highlights

Radioactive waste refers to any liquid, gas, or solid that contains a radioactive nuclear substance and has no foreseeable use.

There are four general classes of radioactive waste in Canada: uranium mine and mill waste, low level, intermediate level, and high level radioactive waste.

Uranium mine and mill waste consists of tailings (fine sand) and waste rock (gravel), generated by mining and milling uranium ore.

Low level radioactive waste requires isolation and containment for up to several hundred years, produced by nuclear power plants and various research and industrial facilities.

Low level waste includes used equipment, paper, clothing, decommissioned parts, and even mops.

Intermediate level radioactive waste contains long-lived radionuclides and requires isolation for more than several hundred years.

Intermediate level waste is produced by nuclear power plants and facilities, and includes old components, ion exchange resins, and radioactive sources from radiation therapy.

High level radioactive waste, mainly used nuclear fuel, generates significant heat and radioactivity, requiring long-term isolation.

High level waste comes from nuclear power plants and includes used nuclear fuel that remains highly radioactive.

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates all classes of radioactive waste in Canada to protect people and the environment.

Uranium mine and mill waste, the first class of waste, primarily consists of tailings with a fine sand-like consistency.

Low level waste is produced by nuclear fuel fabrication facilities, uranium refining, and isotope manufacturing.

Intermediate level waste is also generated by prototype and research reactors as well as test facilities.

High level waste includes not just nuclear fuel but also small amounts of waste that generate significant heat.

You can find more information on the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission website at NuclearSafety.gc.ca.