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Radioactive waste types and disposal

Radioactive waste types and disposal

This page explains the different types of radioactive waste, lists examples of each, and contains information on where this radioactive waste is disposed of.

High level radioactive waste

Spent Nuclear Fuel (SNF) and Greater than Class C (GTCC)

Two tall chimneys of a nuclear power plant against a blue sky Nuclear power plants can produce high level radioactive waste during operation

Examples:

  • Solid irradiated nuclear fuel assemblies (often called spent nuclear fuel (SNF))
  • Highly radioactive components, typically generated during commercial nuclear power plant operations

Disposal site:

  • High Level Radioactive Waste Storage Facilities
  • No public facilities in U.S. – Waste is stored on-site at specialized nuclear storage facilities.

Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW)

Defined under 10 CFR 61.55

A glowing red exit sign in darkness Self-luminous EXIT signs containing the radioactive gas tritium are widely used in a variety of facilities across the United States

Examples:

  • Contaminated equipment, including duct work, lab hoods, carts, and pumps
  • Ion exchange resins and filter materials used to clean water nuclear power plants
  • Research equipment from laboratories where radioactive materials are used
  • Radium timepieces and military instruments
  • Exit signs (tritium)
  • Some smoke detectors (Ra-226)

Disposal site:

  • Low Level Radioactive Waste Site
  • 4 sites in the United States; none in Michigan

Technologically Enhanced Naturally-Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM)

A worker adjusts something on an oil drill at sunset Some wastes from oil and gas production can contain TENORM

Examples:

  • Wastes from oil and gas production
  • Wastewater and drinking water treatment residuals
  • Thorium refinement activity residuals

Disposal sites*:

  • MI Hazardous Waste Landfill
    ≤50 pCi/g Ra-226, 50 pCi/g Ra-228, and 260 pCi/g Pb-210
  • MI Solid Waste Landfill
    ≤25 pCi/g Ra-226, 25 pCi/g Ra-228, and 25 pCi/g Pb-210

*Current status – Landfills can request increase to the above limits.

Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) Exempt Materials

Stacks of colorful stoneware plates Antique ceramic tableware may contain uranium in the glaze

Examples:

  • Exempt Check Sources (very small quantity used for equipment checks or testing)
  • Source material (U & Th) less than 0.05% by weight
  • Coal Combustion Residuals
  • Thorium gas mantels
  • Antique ceramic tableware (uranium used in the glaze)
  • Residential Smoke Detectors (Am-241)
  • Unrefined ore (granite, soils, etc.)
  • Patient waste, post nuclear medicine procedure (Lu-177, Tc-99m, I-131, F-18, etc.)

Disposal sites:

  • Any Type I or II Landfill in Michigan

Unregulated material

Naturally-occurring radionuclides such as potassium, carbon, radium and their decay products are found in some foods. Because the amount of radiation is very small, these foods do not pose a radiation risk.

A small pile of oblong Brazil nuts Brazil nuts contain potassium, but they also contain a small amount of radium that is taken up from the soil in which they are grown

Examples

  • Naturally occurring radionuclides (K-40, Lu-176, etc.). K-40 is present in K rich foods, like milk, salt substitutes, and bananas.
  • Brazil Nuts containing Ra-226.

Disposal site:

  • N/A

Contact information

For general information about radioactive materials, contact us at RadioactiveMaterial@Michigan.gov.

Need immediate assistance?

Environmental Assistance Center
Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 4:30pm
800-662-9278

Pollution Emergency Alerting System (PEAS) Hotline
24 hours / 7 days a week
800-292-4706