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What is radioactive waste? Radioactive waste is any liquid, gas, or solid that contains a radioactive nuclear substance and for which there is no foreseeable use.
There are four general classes of radioactive waste in Canada. Uranium mine and mill waste. Low level radioactive waste. Intermediate level. Radioactive waste. And high level radioactive waste.
The first of the four general classes is uranium mine and mill waste. This includes tailings and waste rock generated by the mining and milling of uranium ore. Tailings have the consistency of fine sand, while waste rock is simply gravel and broken up rock.
Next, we have low level radioactive waste, which is more radioactive than clearance levels and exemption quantities allow. It requires isolation and containment for up to several hundred years. Nuclear power plants, research reactors, test facilities, radio isotope manufacturers or users, uranium refining and conversion, and nuclear fuel fabrication facilities produce low level waste. It can come in various forms, such as used equipment, paper, cable, clothing, decommissioned parts, and even mops.
Thirdly, we have intermediate level radioactive waste, which contains concentrations of long lived radionuclides elements that emit radiation. It requires isolation and containment for longer than several hundred years. Nuclear power plants, prototype and research reactors, test facilities, and radio isotope manufacturers and users produce intermediate level waste. It could come in the form of refurbishment waste, such as old components, ion exchange resins, and some radioactive sources used in radiation therapy.
Lastly, we have high level radioactive waste, which is primarily used nuclear fuel along with small amounts of waste that generate significant heat and radioactivity. It requires long term isolation. Nuclear power plants, prototype and research reactors, and test facilities produce high level waste. It comes in the form of used nuclear fuel that is still significantly radioactive.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission regulates all classes and forms of radioactive waste in Canada to protect the health and safety of people and the environment. You can find more info at NuclearSafety.gc.ca.