Knowra Nuclear waste Nuclear waste Nuclear waste is radioactive material for which no further use is intended. It requires controlled management to protect people and the environment from radiation and contamination.
Radioactive decay : The spontaneous transformation of unstable atomic nuclei, often accompanied by emitted particles or electromagnetic radiation. Decay changes waste activity over time and helps determine how long it needs isolation.
Nuclear fuel cycle : The sequence of processes that produce, use, and manage nuclear fuel and its associated materials. Waste arises at several stages, not only when reactor fuel is removed.
Low-level radioactive waste : Radioactive waste with limited activity or contamination that generally requires less isolation than high-level waste. It includes many contaminated tools, clothing, and materials from nuclear operations.
Nuclear waste policy : Government rules and decisions governing the handling, storage, transport, and disposal of radioactive waste. Policy determines who manages waste, which standards apply, and how disposal is funded.
Radioactivity : The emission of particles or electromagnetic radiation from unstable atomic nuclei. It is the property that makes nuclear waste hazardous and calls for radiological controls.
Vitrification : A process that incorporates radioactive waste into a durable glass matrix. It immobilizes many high-level liquid wastes before storage or disposal.
Intermediate-level radioactive waste : Radioactive waste requiring shielding or other controls but not usually requiring heat dissipation during disposal. Its treatment and disposal needs lie between low- and high-level waste.
Nuclear waste repository siting : The process of selecting a location for a facility that stores or disposes of radioactive waste. Geology alone does not settle where a repository can be built and accepted.
Radiation dose : A measure of energy deposited by ionizing radiation in matter, with related quantities used to estimate biological effects. Dose connects waste releases or exposure to potential health effects.
Interim storage of spent nuclear fuel : The temporary containment of spent reactor fuel, commonly in water pools or dry casks. Cooling and shielding provide controlled custody before a final disposal route is available.
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