5 ms·
German perspective: this material is measured for radioactivity and released from being subject to nuclear material rules if the levels are low enough. It's the
by _Microft 4y ago
German perspective: this material is measured for radioactivity and released from being subject to nuclear material rules if the levels are low enough. It's then treated like any other waste material. The German Wikipedia article on that [0] states that 97% of the material of a nuclear reactor are eventually cleared like this.
[0](de) https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freimessen https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freimessen
- tlb 4y agoThe cool thing about nuclear waste is that you can measure how radioactive it is with a handheld device. Very convenient compared to biohazard waste.
- dv_dt 4y agoI think this is only partially true. Yes you can measure it, but you also do not want even low radioactivity dust inhaled into ones body for example.
- vorpalhex 4y agoyes but "bury very low radiation waste in a big pit with a no digging sign" seems very sensible compared to longterm spent fuel rod storage.
- s1artibartfast 4y agoThis is a separate fact that does not negate the one above. You can measure it and if it can or can't make harmful dust you know it empirically
- dv_dt 4y agoThe fact is separate but it’s just one hint that maybe it really isn’t a simple matter to store and contain nuclear waste for long periods of time.
- s1artibartfast 4y agoBut they didn't claim it was simple to store or contain waste either(not that I agree with your conclusion .