RSO Radioactive Waste Management 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Liquid scintillation waste containing H-3 or C-14 may be disposed of by sanitary sewer only if:
- The activity per liter and total monthly/annual discharge limits in the NRC license are not exceeded (Correct answer)
- The total activity in the vial is below 1 µCi
- The waste is filtered through activated charcoal first
- The sewer leads directly to a water treatment plant
Correct answer: The activity per liter and total monthly/annual discharge limits in the NRC license are not exceeded
NRC 10 CFR 20.2003 and license conditions specify allowable concentrations and total annual discharge quantities for sewer disposal; both the concentration and total limits must be met.
Question 2: A radioactive waste manifest (shipping paper) for LLRW transport must include all of the following EXCEPT:
- Generator's name and NRC license number
- Radionuclides and their activities
- Worker's personal dosimetry history (Correct answer)
- Waste classification and physical form
Correct answer: Worker's personal dosimetry history
Waste manifests must document the generator, waste characteristics, radionuclides, and classification, but individual worker dosimetry records are not required on shipping manifests.
Question 3: Generators of LLRW must keep records of radioactive waste shipments for a minimum of:
- 1 year
- 3 years (Correct answer)
- 5 years
- 10 years
Correct answer: 3 years
NRC regulations require generators to retain records of radioactive waste shipments, including manifests, for at least 3 years, though many states require longer retention periods.
Question 4: Which of the following is the correct hierarchy for radioactive waste management, from most to least preferred?
- Dispose → Reduce → Reuse → Recycle
- Minimize generation → Reuse/recycle → Treat → Dispose (Correct answer)
- Treat → Store → Dispose → Release
- Characterize → Package → Ship → Dispose
Correct answer: Minimize generation → Reuse/recycle → Treat → Dispose
The preferred waste management hierarchy is to minimize waste generation first, then reuse or recycle materials, then treat to reduce hazard, and finally dispose as a last resort.
Question 5: Greater-than-Class-C (GTCC) LLRW differs from Class C in that it:
- Requires no packaging
- Cannot be disposed of in near-surface facilities and requires deep geological disposal (Correct answer)
- Is only generated by medical facilities
- Has a half-life of less than 5 years
Correct answer: Cannot be disposed of in near-surface facilities and requires deep geological disposal
GTCC waste exceeds Class C concentration limits and cannot be safely disposed of in near-surface facilities, requiring deep geological disposal like HLW.
Question 6: An RSO must ensure that radioactive waste packages transported off-site meet the DOT requirements for:
- Packaging, labeling, marking, placarding, and proper shipping papers (Correct answer)
- NRC Form 3 posting and radiation survey records only
- EPA hazardous waste manifests only
- State police escort if activity exceeds 1 Curie
Correct answer: Packaging, labeling, marking, placarding, and proper shipping papers
DOT regulations (49 CFR Parts 171-173) require that radioactive material shipments comply with packaging standards, labeling (Type A/B, white/yellow/red labels), marking, placard requirements, and shipping papers.
RSO Radioactive Waste Management 2
Liquid scintillation waste containing H-3 or C-14 may be disposed of by sanitary sewer only if: