ML20210J320

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Onsite Disposal of Radioactive Waste.Guidance for Disposal by Subsurface Burial
ML20210J320
Person / Time
Issue date: 03/31/1986
From: Neuder S
NRC OFFICE OF NUCLEAR MATERIAL SAFETY & SAFEGUARDS (NMSS)
To:
References
NUREG-1101, NUREG-1101-V01, NUREG-1101-V1, NUDOCS 8604030412
Download: ML20210J320 (26)
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NUREG-1101 Vol.1 Onsite Disposal of Radioactive Waste Guidance for Disposal by Subsurface-Burial U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards Stanley M. Neuder i  !

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1 NOTICE Availability of Reference Materials Cited in NRC Publications Most documents cited in NRC publications will be available from one of the following sources:

1. The NRC Public Document Room,1717 H Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20555

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Referenced documents available for inspection and copying for a fee from the NRC Public Docu-ment Room include NRC correspondence and internal NRC memoranda; NRC Office of Inspection and Enforcement bulletins, circulars, information notices, inspection and investigation notices; Licensee Event Reports; vendor reports and correspondence; Commission papers; and applicant and licensee documents and correspondence.

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NUREG-1101 Vol.1 j 1

Onsite Disposal of Radioactive Waste  :

l Guidance for Disposal by Subsurface Burial Manuscript Completed: December 1985 Date Published: March 1986 Stanley M. Neuder Division of Waste Management Office of Nuclear Material Safety and Safeguards U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission Washington, D.C. 20666

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ABSTRACT Volume 1 of this NUREG provides guidance primarily for academic, medical, and industrial licensees seeking authorization to dispose of small quantities of radioactive material by onsite subsurface disposal. Licensee requests for such authorizations are made pursuant to Section 20.302 of 10 CFR Part 20

" Standards for Protection Against Radiation." This guidance supplements Section 20.302 to assure that appropriate information is provided by the licensee so that an adequate evaluation of the application can be performed by NRC staff. In addition, this guidance provides a description of disposal methods and techniques acceptable to the NRC staff in its evaluation of the application.

This guidance also identi?ies categories of radionuclides defined for subsurface disposal. Limiting conditions are described for each category of radionuclides with respect to total radioactivity, waste packaging, burial frequency and other conditions likely to be acceptable for subsurface disposal. The category lists of radionuclides and associated disposal conditions and criteria are the primary data by which the NRC staff will make an initial evaluation of information pro-vided in the application. An application for a proposed disposal activity that does not fit any of the disposal categories will be evaluated against more com-plete guidance also described in this document.

Volume 2 of this NUREG describes technical methodology used by NRC staff to evaluate requests by licensees for approval of onsite disposal by burial in soil. Requests from licensees are evaluated in terms of radiological impact on public health and safety and the environment. The estimated annual radiation dose equivalent resulting from NRC's technical evaluation usually will be the determining factor in the approval of the licensee's proposed disposal. Pathway analyses described in Volume 2 include: (a) exposure to direct gamma from the buried waste; (b) drinking water from a well contaminated by migration of radio-nuclides; (c) ingesting agricultural products derived from radionuclide-contaminated soil; and (d) inhaling radionuclides resuspended at the burial site.

Volume two is currently in preparation and unavailable at this time.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ........................................................ iii

1. INTRODUCTION ............................................... 1
2. DISCUSSION ................................................. 1 2.1 The Regulation ........................................ 1 2.2 The Application ....................................... 1 2.3 Classi fication of Proposed Disposals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 i 3. CONTENTS OF THE APPLICATION ................................ 2 3.1 Proposed Activities ................................... 3 3.2 Justification ......................................... 3 3.3 Description of Waste .................................. 3 3.4 Packaging of Waste .................................... 4 3.5 Burial Location ....................................... 5 3.6 Institutional Controls ................................ 6
3. 7 Nature of the Burial Site ............................. 6 3.8 Burial Procedures ..................................... 7 3.9 Radiation Safety Procedures ........................... 8 3.10 Recordkeeping ......................................... 8 3l11 State and Local Requirements .......................... 9 3.12 Certificate ........................................... 9 APPENDIX A - THREE CATEGORIES OF RADIONUCLIDES FOR BURIAL OF WASTE PURSUANT TO S 20.302 ......................... A-1
1. Introduction ............................................... A-1
2. C a t e g o ry 1. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-1 2.1 Category 1A ........................................... A-1 '

2.2 Category 18 ........................................... A-5

3. Category 2 ................................................. A-6
4. C a t e g o ry 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7
5. Combination of Categories.......................... ...... A-8 LIST OF APPENDIX A TABLES A.1A Catego ry 1A Radi onucl i des . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-2 A.1B Category 18 Radionuclides ................................. A-5 A.2 Category 2 Radionuclides .................................. A-6 A.3 Catego ry 3 Radi o n uc l i de s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A-7 APPENDIX B - TECHNICAL BASIS FOR RADI0 ACTIVITY LIMITS DEFINED IN APPENDIX A ...................................... B-1 v

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The author wishes to acknowledge the valuable contributions of Mr. Leo B.

Higgirbotham, Chief, Low-Level Waste and Uranium Recovery Projects Branch, during the development of this guidance document. Appreciation is also due Mr.

Richard E. Cunningham, Director, Division of Fuel Cycle and Material Safety, Mr. Harold Peterson Jr. , Office of Nuclear Regulatory Research, Mr. John Hickey, Section Leader, Industrial, Medical and Academic Section, and Dr. Faith Brenneman, Office of Nuclear Reactor Regulations for their review and helpful suggestions.

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1 INTRODUCTION On January 28, 1981 the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) amended its regula-tions to delete Section 20.304 of 10 CFR Part 20, " Standards for Protection Against Radiation." Section 20.304 had authorized burial of certain small quan-tities of radionuclides without prior approval of the NRC. The Commission con--

cluded, however, that it was inappropriate to continue generic authorization of these burials without regard to such factors as location of burial, concentra-tions of radioactive material, form of packaging, and prior notification of NRC.

Licensees now must obtain prior approval for proposed burials of iadioactive wastes pursuant to Section 20.302 of 10 CFR Part 20. Prior review of proposed burials results in improved records regarding amounts and locations of burials of radioactive waste, and provides greater assurance that buried material will not present a health hazard at a later date. Thus, the risk of exposure to individuals who may disturb buried radioactive waste is reduced.

2 DISCUSSION 2.1 The Regulation Under the provisions of S 20.302, any licensee of the Nuclear Regulatory Comnis-sion or applicant for an NRC license may apply to the Commission for approval of proposed procedures to dispose of licensed material in a manner not otherwise authorized in NRC regulations. Eac5 application should include a description of the licensed material and any other radioactive material involved, including the quantities and kinds of such material and the levels of radioactivity involved, and the proposed manner and conditions of disposal.

The application should also include an analysis and evaluation of pertinent in-formation on the nature cf the environment, including topographical, geological, meteorological, and hydrological characteristics; usage of ground and surface waters in the general area; the nature and location of other potentially affected facilities; and procedures to be observed to minimize the risk of unexpected or hazardous exposures.

2.2 The Application The NRC staff has developed the guidance in this document, primarily for academic, medical, and industrial licensees, to supplement Section 20.302 to assure that appropriate information is provided in the application so that an adequate evaluation can be performed of all data and factors-relevant to the proposed burial. In addition, this guidance provides a description of disposal methods and techniques acceptable to the NRC staff in its evaluation of the application. Methods and techniques different from those set out in this guide will be acceptable if they provide a basis for the findings requisite to issu-ance or continuance of an NRC license.

Volume 2 of this NUREG* contains an explanation and details of a methodology that may be used by licensees and applicants for a detailed " analysis and eval-uation of pertineat information," as required by the regulation if a detailed 1

evaluation is warranted by the circumstances of the proposed disposal of waste.

A detailed evaluation of the type in Volume 2 might be necessary if the proposed disposal involves a complexity of factors considering the types, quantities, and concentrations of radioactive materials, and the conditions and location of the proposed burial. On the other hand, evaluations much less rigorous might be appropriate for applications involving only a few radionuclides of relatively short half-life, in relatively low concentrations or total quantities, and adequate packaging and disposal in appropriate locations.

The licensee or applicant is expected to provide not only detailed information regarding the radioactive materia and proposed disposal conditions involved, but also an analysis and evaluation of relevant information which will demon-strate that the proposed' disposal can be safely carried out and there will be no undue impact on public health and safety or the environment.

2.3 Classification of Proposed Disposals This guidance also provides a method developed by the staff for simplifying the application process and its evaluation by the NRC. Appendix A of this guide identifies and describes three categories for burial of waste defined for sub-surface burial pursuant to S 20.302. These categories consist of lists of radionuclides grouped primarily by radioactive half-life. Quantities are specified and limiting conditions for disposal are described for each disposal category.

Appendix B of this guide provides the technical basis for the radioactivity limits listed in Appendix A.

The application process is simplified if the requested disposal activity falls within a given disposal category and the associated criteria can be met by the applicant. -Each category description also identifies the items of information in the guidance that are required to be provided in the application pursuant to S 20.302. For disposal activities which do not fall within the three categories, a more detailed application (as defined in item 3.7 of Section 3) may be required, including an analysis and evaluation of pertinent information on the nature of the disposal environs.

3 CONTENTS OF THE APPLICATION The application should contain the information specified in S 20.302(a) of 10 CFR Part 20. That information should be incorporated into the various items ident;-

fied in the following sections. Each subject should be treated in sufficient depth to permit the Commission staff independently to determine whether the proposed activities will be conducted in accordance with HRC regulations and standards. All pages of the application should be numbered and dated.

For certain of the following sections, a description is provided of the method or criteria by which the NRC staff will evaluate the applicant's proposed

  • See Neuder, S. M. , and W. E. Kennedy, Jr. , Vol. 2 of "Onsite Disposal of Radio-active Waste." NUREG 1101, " Methodology for the Radiological Assessment of )

Disposal by Subsurface Burial," 1986.

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disposal. Methods and' criteria different from those set out below will be acceptable if they provide an equivalent level of assurance that the proposed activities will not result in any undue hazard to the public or environment.

3.1 Proposed Activities This introductory section of the application should summarize the overall pro-posal for which approval is requested.

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3.2 Justification This section should briefly explain and justify the proposed burial vs. Other disposal alternatives, such as disposal at a licensed regulated radioactive waste disposal site.

3.3 Description of Waste 3.3.1 Application This section should completely describe the radioactive materials to be disposed of, including:

1. The isotopes and estimated activity and concentration of each to be dis-posed of in any one burial.
2. The number of burials anticipated each year.
3. The estimated volume of waste in each burial and the estimated total vol-ume in a year.
4. The physical form (s) of the waste, including a description of any absor-bents used.
5. A description and quantities of any chelating agents involved in waste-disposals.
6. An acknowledgment of the prohibition on burial of hazardous waste as defined in the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency, 40 CFR Parts 260 through 265. Radioactive waste containing a hazardous waste component must be disposed of in a manner set out in EPA regulations and in accordance with applicable local and State laws and codes.

3.3.2 Staff Position

1. Evaluation Criteria - Unless supported with a comprehensive, conclusive demonstration that offers reasonable assurance of protection of public health and safety and the environment:
a. The total quantity of licensed and other radioactive materials buried at any one location and time should not exceed at the time of burial, the amounts specified in categories 1 through 3 of Appendix A.

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b. The radioactive materials to be buried should be dispersed on or 1 throughout the waste volume.

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c. The licensee must have appropriate permits for the disposal of radio-active waste containing a hazardous waste component.
d. The radioactive materials to be buried should not contain any chelating agents in amounts exceeding 0.1% by weight,
e. The radioactive waste containing biological, pathogenic, or infectious material should be treated to reduce to the maximum extent practica-ble the potential hazard from the nonradiological materials or waste properties.
f. Liquid waste should be solidified or packaged in sufficient absorbent material to absorb twice the volume of the liquid.
2. Categories for 6 20.302 Disposals - Appendix A identifies and describes three categories for disposal of waste under 6 20.302. The categories are lists of radionuclides grouped primarily by radioactive half-life. Disposal conditions are described for each disposal category by identifying certain limiting conditions with respect to waste packaging and total activity acceptable for burial.

An application for a disposal activity falling within a described category should contain the appropriate information items identified in Appendix A for the particular disposal category. The category lists and associated conditions and criteria in Appendix A are the primary data by which the NRC staff will initially evaluate the information provided in the application.

The content of an application for a proposed disposal activity that does not fit any of the three' disposal categories will be evaluated against the.

complete guidance in Section 3 of this guide, and therefore should contain all the information described in that section including that described in Section 3.7.1. The methodology and criteria described in Volume 2,

" Methodology for the Radiological Assessment of Disposal by Subsurface Burial," will be used by NRC staff to evaluate the information provided in the application.

3.4 Packagina of Waste 3.4.1 Application This section of the application should provide a complete description of the type (s) of containers or other method (s) of packaging that will be used for the waste. If packaging of waste is not contemplated, an explanation and justifica-tion should be provided.

3.4.2 Staff Position As a minimum, waste should be packaged in strong, tight containers which will preclude loss of the contents in the burial environment over a reasonable period

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of time, that is, a minimum of two to three years. Containers that would be acceptable include the following: (1) The Department of Transportation (DOT)

Specification 17H, 55 gallon steel drum (wall thickness - 18 gauge'or 1.27 mm),

equipped with a 4-mil plastic liner. Based on underground corrosion studies in various soil environments, two to three years are the minimum exposure time before penetration of the steel by pitting corrosion would be expected. (2) An alternative superior to the steel drum would be a high-density, high molecular weight polyethylene drum, designed to comply with the major criteria of 00T Specification 34 for reusable polyethylene drums

  • for hazardous materials. l Polyethylene drums used as radwaste disposal containers will be 00T-approved exemptions to this specification, since 00T 34 is written for closed head drums while most NRC licensees will generally require removable head drums. .High-density polyethylene has been shown to be resistant to degradation and failure from irradiation, a wide range of corrosive chemicals, the expected temperature extremes, and mechanical impacts. These polyethylene containers are likely to provide containment for at least five years.

Other containers may be acceptable with adequate demonstration of reasonably comparable durability in the burial environs. Cardboard or wooden boxes normally would not be considered suitable containers.

Proposed disposals under circumstances which may preclude or render. impractical packaging of contaminated material would be considered on a case-specific basis.

3.5 Burial Location 3.5.1 Application A general description should be provided of the location of the burial site and its relation to the surrounding environs., The surrounding environs and their use(s) should be generally described.

The application should include a map or sketch of the applicant's property which shows the specific location on the property where the burials will be made. Map (s) should be to scale, with scale included, and should show the site boundaries and the applicant's property lines. The description of the surrounding environs and their uses may be indicated on the map. Tae map (s) or sketch (es) should be of sufficient size that entries and notations are legible and easily read. Loca-tions of nearby residences, surface waters, and water wells should be indicated.

The application should include a summary description of past waste burials which have been made at or near the proposed burial site.

3.5.2 Staff Position The disposal site should be located well within the property lines of the appli-cant, away from the site boundaries, in order to provide a buffer zone to adjacent

  • See U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Title 49, Parts 178 to 199," Transpor-tation," S 178.19, " Specification 34: reusable polyethylene drum for use without overpack. Removable head not authorized," Nov. 1, 1984, p. 26.

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properties owned and controlled by others. The use(s) of surrounding environs (both licensees' and adjacent properties) should be compatible with and not unduly sensitive to the proposed disposal activity. A nearby water supply for domestic purposes or the use of adjacent land for residential or agricultural purposes would generally not be considered compatible with proposed radioactive waste disposal. activities.

3.6 Institutional Controls 3.6.1 Application The application should provide a brief explanation of the land ownership of the property on which burial is to take place and the controls exercised over the property by the applicant. If the property is leased by the applicant, the application should include a statement that there are no land covenants or restrictions that would prohibit the disposal activity and provide written evidence that the property owner has no objections.

A brief description should also be provided of the methods to be used to control and restrict access to the disposal site to authorized personnel and the period of time over which restricted access can be maintained.

3.6.2 Staff Position The disposal site should be located on property owned or leased by, and under the direct control of, the applicant. Access should be limited to authorized personnel. (An acceptable method for access restriction would be a chain link fence around the site with signs properly posted.) Controlled access should be maintained for a minimum of 3 years following final disposal.

3.7 Nature of the Burial Site 3.7.1 Application The application should contain an analysis of the site environs, addressing potential migration or transport of radioactive material away from the burial site. Information and data which should be considered in the analysis include:

topographical, geological, hydrological, and meteorological characteristics of the site environs; uses of ground and surface waters in the general area; and the nature and location of.potentially affected facilities.

Information should include the following items. Estimates may be provided for items indicated (*) if the basis for the estimates is explained.

- 1. Type of soil; for example, sand, gravel, silt, clay, soil classification

  • including grain size distribution.*
2. Stratigraphy of the near surface.
3. Precipitation: monthly average, peak, water balance.*
4. Water wells in the vicinity: location, use, depth,* water level.*

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5. Ground waters: use, depth to aquifer, fluctuation, discharge location,* 1 saturated thickness.*
6. Surface waters in the vicinity: location, use.
7. Hydrogeologic. data *: porosity, distribution coefficient, hydraulic conductivity, dispersivity, hydraulic gradient.
8. Resources: local land use, location of nearby residences.
9. Maps: topographic (United States Geological Survey quad), hydrologic, geologic.
10. Site performance history: erosion,' flooding, subsidence. .
11. Summary of past disposals and any observed effects.

3.7.2 Staff Position

1. Burial site - The general topography of the proposed burial site and its location in the surrounding environs must be compatible with the proposed waste burial. For example, surface features should direct surface water drainage away from burial site (s). Wastes should not be buried in loca-tions which, once covered, would tend to collect surface water runoff.

The characteristics of the site should minimize to the extent practicable the potential for erosion and contact of percolating or standing water with wastes after disposal.

2. Evaluation - For a proposed disposal which does not fall within the cate-gories described in Appendix A, a detailed evaluation of the type discussed in Volume 2 of NUREG-1101 is acceptable. Modifications of that methodology or alternative evaluation approaches will be acceptable, provided therb is adequate demonstration of no undue hazard to public safety and the environ-ment.

Applications involving disposal of radioactive materials in one of the three categories described in Appendix A should include the information specified for the particular category. Information and a detailed evaluation such as described in Section 3.7.1, above, and in Volume 2 of NUREG-1101 need not be submitted.

3.8 Burial Procedures 3.8.1 Application The description of proposed burial procedures to be followed should specify the minimum depth at which waste will be buried and the depth and fluctuation of the water table at the site. The dimensions of the waste pits and their array and spacing should be specified. The type and thickness of the backfill or cover over the waste should be described. Inspection, maintenance and sta-bilization measures should be described.

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3.8.2 Staff Position

1. The burial depth for waste should be a minimum of four feet below the nor-mal surface grade.
2. Water-bearing strata should be a minimum of 10 feet below the depth at which waste will be buried; the 10 foot depth should be the high point of any fluctuation in the water table.
3. Burial pits should be separated by distances of at least four feet.
4. Waste should be emplaced in a manner that maintains the package integrity during emplacement, minimizes the void spaces between packages, and per-mits the void spaces to be filled.
5. Void spaces between waste packages should be filled with earth or other ma-terial to reduce future subsidence within the fill,
6. Covers should be designed to minimize to the extent practicable water in-filtration, to direct percolating or surface water away from the disposed waste, and to resist degradation by surface geologic processes and biotic activity.
7. Waste should be placed and covered in a manner that limits the radiation exposure rate at the surface of the cover to background levels.
8. Stabilization measures should be carried out as each burial pit is filled and covered.

3.9 Radiation Safety Procedures A description should be provided of the general radiation safety precautions to be followed in handling the waste for burial.

3.10 Recordkeeping 3.10.1 Application A description should be provided of the program for maintaining records of burial operations. The types and contents of records should be identified.

3.10.2 Staff Position

1. Records of disposal of licensed materials made pursuant to S 20.302 should be maintained until the Commission authorizes their disposal.
2. The records should include the dates of burials and a description of the
  • radionuclides, activities, concentrations, total volumes, physical form (s) of the waste and the waste package.
3. The records should also include identification, marking and recording of the boundaries, locations of burials, and, to the same scale, the boundaries of the licensed site.

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. 3.11 State and Local Requirements The extent to which Federal, State and local laws and requirements could affect the proposed burial of radioactive waste with any hazardous waste should be described along with the contacts made with State and local officials. State whether a notation has been made on local government land records as to the location of the burial of radioactive waste.

3.12 Certificate The application for burial should be signed by the applicant or the applicant's authorized representative and should contain the following certificate:

"The applicant and any official executing this application on behalf of the applicant certify that this application and all information contained herein, including any supplements attached is true and correct to the best of our knowledge and belief."

The applicant should be aware that 18 U.S.C., Section 1001; Act of June 25, 1948, 62 Stat.749; makes it a criminal offense to make a willfully false statement or representation to any department or agency of the United States as to any matter within its jurisdiction.

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APPENDIX A THREE CATEGORIES OF RADIONUCLIDES FOR BURIAL OF WASTE PURSUANT TO S 20.302 1 INTRODUCTION This appendix discusses three categories defined for subsurface burial of waste under S 20.302. These categories are defined by lists of radionuclides grouped primarily by half-life. Conditions for disposal are specified by limiting conditions for total quantities and waste packaging acceptable for disposal by subsurface burial. The technical bases for these conditions are presented in Appendix B. The quantities specified in the following tables of radionuclides are the same as those found in Appendix C, 10 CFR Part 20.

2 CATEGORY 1 2.1 Category 1A i An application requesting approval of disposal by subsurface burial of radionu-clides listed in Table A.1A may be approved if the application and conditions of burial meet all the following criteria:

a. The quantities of individual radionuclides to be buried at any one time do not exceed, at the time of burial, 1000 times the quantities listed in Table A.1A, and
b. Where a combination of radionuclides in Category 1A in known amounts is involved, the limit for the combination should be derived by deter-mining for each radionuclide in the combination the ratio between the quantity present in the combination and the limit otherwise established for the specific radionuclide when not in combination (that is, 1000 ,

times the value in Table A.1A). The sum of such ratios for all the  ;

radionuclides'in the combination may not exceed "1" (that is, " unity").

c. Not more than three such burials will be made in any one year.
d. The burial procedures (information required under itera 3.8, Section 3

.of the application guidance) are consistent with item 3.8.2 of the guidance.

e. The packaging of the waste for burial (information required under item 3.4 of the application guidance) is adequate to provide reasonable expectation of containment of the waste (package integrity) for a period of at least three years. ,
f. The application provides the required information acceptable to the ,

staff using the guidance in Section 3 of the guide, except that the information and analysis described in item 3.7.1 of Section 3 need not be provided.

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t I A-1

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_-, . .___ - , - _ ._ - - - _ . _ _ _ , _ _ - _ . l . _ -

Table A.1A - Category 1A radionuclides Material Half-life (pCi)

Antimony-122 2.8 d 100 Antimony-124 60.4 d 10 Arsenic-73 80.3 d 100 Arsenic-74 17.9 d 10 Arsenic-76 26.5 h 10 Arsenic-77 38.7 h 100 Barium-131 12.0 d 10 Barium-140 12.8 d 10 8ismuth-210 5.0 d 1 Bromine-82 35.3 h 10 Cadmium-115m 43 d 10 Cadmium-115 53.5 h 100 Calcium-47 4.5 d 10.

Cerium-141 32.5 d 100 Cerium-143 33 h 100 Cesium-131 9.7 d 1,000 Cesium-134m 2.9 h 100 Cesiwi-136 13.5 d 20 Chlorine-38 37 m 10 Chromium-51. 27.8 d 1,000 Cobalt-58s 9.2 h 10 Cobalt-58 71.3 d 10 Copper-64 12.8 h 100 Dysprosium-165 139.2 m 10 Dysprosium-166 81.5 h 100 Erbium-169 9.4 d 100 Erbium-171 7.5 h 100 Europium-152m 9.2 h 100 Fluorine-18 109.7 m 1,000 Gadolinium-159 18.0 h 100 Gallium-72 14.1 h 10 Germanium-71 11.4 d 100 Gold-198 64.8 h 100 Gold-199 75.6 h 100 Hafnium-181 42.5 d 10 Holmium-156 26.9 h 100 Indium-113m 100 m 100 Indium-114m 50.0 d 10 Indium-115m 4.5 h 100 Iodine-125 60.0 d 1 Iodine-126 13.0 d 1 Iodine-131 8.1 d 1 Iodine-132 2.3 h 10 Iodine-133 20.5 h 1 A-2

r s.

Table A.1A, Continued Material Half-life (pCi)

Iodine-134 52.4 m 10 Iodine-135 6.7 h 10 Iridium-192 74.2 d .10 Iridium-194 17.4 h 100 Iron-59 45.0 d 10 Lanthanum-140 40.2 h 10 Lutetium-177 6.7 d 100 Manganese-52 5.6 d 10 Manganese-56 2.6 h 10 Mercury-197m 24 h 100 Mercury-197 65 h 100 Mercury-203 46.9 d 10 Molybdenum-99 67.0 h 100 Neodymium-147 11.1 d 100 Neodymium-149 1.8 h 100 Nickel-65 2.6 h 100 Niobium-95 35 d 10 Niobium-97 72 m 10 Osmium-185 93.6 d 10 Osmium-191m 13 h 100 Osmium-191' 15 d 100 Osmium-193 31.5 h 100 Palladium-103 17 d 100 Palladium-109 13.5 h 100 Phosphorus-32 14.3 d 10 Platinum-191 3 d 100 Platinum-193m 4.3 d 100 Platinum-197m 78 m 100 Platinum-197 18 h 100 Potassium-42 12.4 h 10 Praseodymium-142 19.2 h 100 Praseodymium-143 13.6 d 100 Promethium 147 12 m 10 Promethium-149 53 h 10 Rhenium-186 90 h 100 Rhenium-188 16.7 h 100 Rhodium-103m 57.5 m 100 Rhodium-105 36 h 100 Rubidium-86 18.7 d 10 Ruthenium-97 2.9 d 100 Ruthenium-103 39.6 d 10 Ruthenium-105 4.4 h 10 Samarium-153 47 h 100 Scandium-46 83.9 d 10 Scandium-47 3.4 d 100 Scandium-48 1.8 d 10 A-3

Table A.1A, Continued Material Half-life (pCi) .

Selenium-75 120.4 d 10 Silicon-31 2.6 h 100 Silver-105 40 d 10 Silver-110m 253 d 1 Silver-111 7.5 d 100 Sodium-24 15 h 10 Strontium-85 64 d 10 Strontium-89 52 d 1 Strontium-91 9.7 h 10 Strontium-92 2.7 h 10 Sulphur-35 88 d 100 Tantalum-182 115 d 10 Technetium-96 4.4 d 10 Technetium-97m 91 d 100 Technetium-99m 6 h -100 Tellurium-125m 58 d 10 Tellurium-127m 109 d 10 Tellurium-127 9.4 h 100 Tellurium-129m 34 d 10 Tellurium-129 68.7 m 100 Tellurium-131m 30 h 10 Te11urium-132 78 h 10 Terbium-160 72 d 10 Thallium-200 26 h 100 Thallium-201 74 h 100 Thallium-202 12 d 100 Thulium-170 130 d 10 Tin-113 115 d 10

! Tin-125 9.4 d 10 Tungsten-181 140 d 10 Tungsten-185 75 d 10 Tungsten-187 23.9 h 100 Vanadium-48 16 d 10 Ytterbium-175 101 h 100 Yttrium-90 64 h 10 Yttrium-91 58.8 d 10 Yttrium-92 3.5 h 100 Yttrium-93 10.3 h 100 l Zinc-69m 13.8 h 100 l Zinc-69 57 m 1,000 i Zirconium-95 65 d 10 Zirconium-97 17 h 10 l

A-4

)

l

- . . . . . . - , , , - . - - - - - . ,-r- . -- - - --------

. l l

2.2 Category 1B An application requesting approval of disposal by subsurface burial of radionu-clides listed in Table A.lB may be approved if the application and conditions  ;

of burial meet all the following criteria: l

a. The quantities of individual radionuclides to be buried at any one time do not exceed at the time of burial, 1000 times the quantities listed in Table A.18, and
b. Where a combination of radionuclides in Category 1B in known amounts is involved, the limit for the combination should be derived by deter-mining for each radionuclide in the combination the ratio between the quantity present in the combination and the limit otherwise established for the specific.radionuclide when not in combination (that is, 1000 times the value in Table A.1B). The sum of such ratios for all the radionuclides in the combination may not exceed "1" (that is, " unity").
c. Not more than two such burials will be made in any one year.
d. The burial procedures (information required under item 3.8, Section 3 of the application guidance) are consistent with item 3.8.2 of the guidance.
e. The waste containing radionuclides in Table A.1B will be packaged for burial in polyethylene containers (see item 3.4.2 of Section 3 of the guide). Otherwise, if not packaged in polyethylene containers, the quantities of radionuclides to be buried at any one time must not exceed at'the time of burial 100 times the quantity listed in Table A.18 and the packaging criteria of Section 2.le of Category 1A apply,
f. The application provides the required information acceptable to the staff using the guidance in Section 3 of the guide, except that the information and analysis described in item 3.7.1 of Section 3 need not be provided.

Table A.18-Category 1B radionuclides Material Half-life (pCi)

Cadmium-109 453 d 10 Calcium-45 165 d 10 Gadolinium-153 242 d 10 Manganese-54 303 d 10 Ruthenium-106 367 d 1 Zinc-65 245 d 10 A-5

~

3 CATEGORY 2 An application requesting approval of disposal by subsurface burial of radionu~

clides listed in Table A.2 may be approved provided the application and conditions of burial meet all of the following criteria:

a. The total quantities of individual radionuclides for all burials at the site do not exceed in cumulative total at the time of burial 100 times the amount specified in Table A.2, and
b. Where a combination of radionuclides in Category 2 in known amounts is involved, the limit for the combination should be derived by deter-mining for each radionuclide in the combination the ratio between the quantity present in the combination and the limit otherwise established for the specific radionuclide when not in combination (that is 100 times the value in Table A.2). The sum of such ratios for all the radio-nuclides in the combination may not exceed "1" (that is, " unity").
c. The burial procedures (information required under item 3.8 of the application guidance) are consistent with Section 3.8.2 of the guidance. -
d. The packaging of the waste for burial (information required under item 3.4 of the application guidance) is adequate to provide reasonable i expectation of containment of the waste (package integrity) for a
period of about three years.
e. The application provides the required information acceptable to the staff using the guidance in Section 3 of the guide, except that the information and analysis described in item 3.7.1 of Section 3 need not be provided.

Table A.2 - Category 2 radionuclides Material Half-life (pCi)

Cesium-134 2.1 y 1 Cesium-135 3.0 x 108 y 10  ;

, Chlorine-36 3.1 x 105 y 10 Cobalt-60 5.3 y 1 Europium-152 12.5 y 1 Europium-154 16.0 y 1 Europium-155 1.8 y 10 l Niobium-93m 13.6 y 10 Samarium-151 90.0 y 10 ]

Strontium-90 28.1 y 0.1 Technetium-97 2.6 x 108 y 100 Technetium-99 2.1 x 105 y 10 Thulium-171 1.9 y 10 Zirconium-93 1.5 x 108 y 10 A-6 1

l

4 CATEGORY 3 An application requesting approval of disposal by subsurface burial of radionu-clides listed *in Table A.3 may be approved provided the application and conditions of burial meet all the following criteria:

a. The total quantities of individual radionuclides for all burials at the site do not exceed in cumulative total at the time of burial 10 times the amount specified in Table A.3, and
b. Where a combination of radionuclides in Category 3 in known amounts is involved, the limit for the combination should be derived by deter-mining for each radionuclide in the combination the ratio between the quantity present in the combination and the limit otherwise established for the specific radionuclide when not in combination (that is 10 times the value in Table A.3). The sum of such ratios for all the radio-nuclides in the combination may not exceed "1" (that is, " unity").
c. The burial procedures (information required under item 3.8 of the application guidance) are consistent with Section 3.8.2 of the guidance.
d. The packaging of the waste for burial (information required under item 4 of the application guidance) is adequate to provide reasonable expectation of containment of the waste (package integrity) for a period of about three years.
e. The application provides the required information acceptable to the staff using the guidance in Section 3 of the guide, except that the information and analysis described in item 3.7.1 of Section 3 need not be provided.

Table A.3 - Category 3 radionuclides Material Half-life (pCi)

Antimony-125 2.7 y 10 Carbon-14 5,730 y 100 Cesium-137 30.0 y 10 Hydrogen-3 12.3 y 1,000 Indium-115 6 x 10 " y 10 Iodine-129 1.7 x 107 y 0.1 Iron-55 , 2.6 y 100 Nickel-59 1 x 105 y -

100 Nickel-63 92 y 10 Promethium-147 2.6 y 10 Rubidium-87 5 x 1010 y to Thallium-204 3. 8 y 10 A-7

+

5 COMBINATION.0F CATEGORIES An application requesting approval of disposal by subsurface burial of a mix of radionuclides listed in more than one of the categories defined above may be approved provided the application and conditions of burial meet the criteria for those categories and that the sum of the ratios of activities divided by the appropriate limits does'not exceed "1" (that is " unity"). The computation may be made as follows:

A A A 0.001(( +0,01}{ +0.1(( I 1 where A9 = activity (in pCI) of radionuclide i in Category 1 L9 = activity listed for radionuclide i in Category 1 I = sum over radionuclides in Category 1, proposed for burial i

Similar definitions apply to radionuclides j and k in Categories 2 and 3, respectively.

A-8

APPENDIX B TECHNICAL BASIS FOR RADI0 ACTIVITY LIMITS DEFINED IN APPENDIX A Limiting conditions for total radioactivity, frequency of burials and waste package requirements, listed in Categories 1 through 3 of Appendix A, are based on a maximum annual whole-body dose or critical organ dose of 25 millirem. The critical pathway is the drinking water pathway and the source of exposure is a contaminated well located on the disposal site. Oose predictions take into account (a) build-up of radionuclide contaminants in the drinking water from past disposals, (b) radioactive decay during the three (or five) year waste confine-ment period, and (c) radioactive decay during the year of ingestion.

Activity limits listed in Appendix A are derived from the following assumptions and considerations:

1. Prior to site release for public use, waste burials have been ongoing for many years at.the rate of three per year or less, depending on the category as defined in Appendix A (conservative assumption).
2. The waste package is assumed to provide three years or five years of waste isolation, depending on the type of container (conservative assumption).

Loss of container integrity after three (or five) years allows the release of all remaining radioactivity to the water supply over a short period of time (conservative assumption).

3. The site is released for public use three years after the last disposal.

Shortly after s.ite release (conservative assumption), a well is constructed on the disposal site for use as a domestic water supply (i.e., for normal household purposes such as drinking, washing and watering).

4. The volume of water withdrawn annually by an individual is equal to the per capita withdrawal from rural domestic wells in the United States."
5. The radioactivity released to the ground water becomes uniformly mixed throughout this annual volume in a short period of time.
6. The. dilution of the radioactive contentration in the ground water over the one year period of water withdrawal is negligible (conservative assump-tion). The decrease of radioactive concentration during the one year period is due only to radiodecay.
7. The individual ingests two liters of water per day from the contaminated well for a period of one year.
  • See Solley, W. B., E. B. Chase and W. B. Mann IV, " Estimated use of Water in the United States in 1980," Geological Survey Circular 1001, United States Department of the Interior, 1983.

B-1

""" U.S. NUCLEA") REGULATORY ctlMM19810N -

"'O NUREG-1101 ,

BIBLIOGRAPHIC QATA SHEET yoj, i f a TITLE AND SUBTITLE (Add Voerne No,if eareries) 2. (Leave aimk/

Onsite Dis sal of Radioactive Waste: '

, Guidance Disposal by Subsurface Burial 3. RECIPIENT'S A ESSION NO.

7. AUTHORE) 5. DATE REPOdT COMPLETED Stanley M. Neuder '

$ beh 985 bERFORMING ORGANIZATIOk AME AND MAILING ADDPESS (/nclude Zip Code) DATE ALPORT ISSUED Division of Waste Mana ment [a"r[h l

1986 Office of Nuclear Materi 1 Safety and Safeguards .. (3,, ,, , ,

U.S. Nuclear Regulatory C ission /

t!ashington, D.C. 20555 s. fu , um.;

/

12. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AN' MAILING ADDRESS (Ine/ude 2,p Codel

'10. PROJECT / TASK / WORK UNIT NO.

/ "'"""'

~

Same a: 9. above.

13. TYPE OF REPORT PE RIOQ# COVE RED (Inclusive dates)

Technical /

15. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES 14. (Leave olek)
16. A8STR ACT G00 words or leuf k /

Volume 1 of this NUREG provides guidance primarjly for academic, medical, and industrial licensees seeking authorization to dispose ofbmall quantities of radioactive material by onsite subsurface disposal. Licensee requestsr r such authorizations are made pursuant to S:ction 20.302 of 10 CFR Part 20 " Standards for otection Against Radiation." This guidance supplements Section 20.302 to assure that approp ate infonnation is provided by the licensee so that an adequate evaluation of the app}{ cation n be perfonned by NRC staff. In addition, this guidance provides a description of disposal hods and techniques acceptable to the NRC staff in its evaluation of the applii:ation. Thi uidance also identifies categories of radionuclides defined for subsurface disposal. Limiti conditions are described for each category of radionuclides with respect' to total radio ivity, waste packaging, burial fr:quency and other conditions accep,t'able for subsurfacA disposal. The category lists of radionuclides and associated disposal. conditions and criteria'are the primary data by which tha NRC staff will make an initial / evaluation of informattqn provided in the application.

An application for a proposed disposal activity that does t fit any of the disposal categories will be evaluated against more complete guidance 1so described in this document.

Volume 2 of this NUREG describes technical methodology used NRC staff to evaluate requests by licensees for approval of onsite disposal by burial in soil

17. KEY WORDS AND DOCUMENT ANALYS16 17a. DESCRIPTORS

. ONSITE DISPOSAL 10 CFR20.302 RADI0 ACTIVE WASTE Section 20.302 of Code Federal Regulat ns NUCLEAR WASTE Pathway Analysis BURIAL Dose Assessment SUBSURFACE DISP 0 SAL Radionuclides WASTE BURIAL / Soil Contamination 17b. IDENTIFIERS!OPEN ENDED TERMS

18. AVAILABILITY STATEMENT 19.gC g SgTh,s reporr/ 21. OF PAGES Unlimited 20. SECURITY CLASS (Thss pagel 22. P RICE Unc1 auif 4 ,, 5 NEC FCEM 335 Ot-on ,__ _
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