Radioactivity – a common part of our life

Management of radwaste

   
We can protect ourselves against radioactivity, and in turn against radioactive waste, in three ways:
first – to remain in its vicinity as shortly as possible, second – to move away from it, and third – to put between the source and ourselves a radioactive material that absorbs ionization radiation, the so-called shielding.

   
The principle of radioactive waste disposal is its separation from the environment and from human beings. For low-level and medium-level waste, it is predominantly its concentration into a smaller volume. Liquid waste is thickened, excess water is evaporated, and solid waste is compressed or incinerated.

The waste is then filled into concrete or bitumen to fix it and prevent its possible release into the environment. Finally it is put into a dedicated space where it is reliable isolated from biosphere, for example into excavated mines or specially prepared repositories.

  
High-level waste, mainly such as spent nuclear fuel from nuclear power plants, is originally stored in spent fuel pool next to the reactor until its radioactivity drops and its temperature decreases, and then it is closed into bulky protective containers and stored first in interim spent fuel storage facility. Following such storage, it will be disposed into a special deep underground repository after 30 to 50 years. Because spent nuclear fuel contains a lot of valuable materials and a lot of unused uranium, sometimes reprocessing methods are chosen when new fuel is produced from the old one and only residues are processed as radioactive waste. Reprocessing is quite costly and is carried out only in a few plants worldwide. High-level waste remaining after the reprocessing are mostly filled into glass and stored. When deep underground repositories are built, the waste will be disposed into them.

The idea of radioactive waste horrifies many people. However, if man or woman realizes the risks and behaves responsibly, he or she has available all means from current technical possibilities to cope with it successfully and safely. It is important that all concerned have sufficient information needed.