Instructions for handling radioactive waste
In the case of radioactive residues, care must be taken to ensure that they are collected correctly and cleanly according to the following criteria. The collecting categories are β-short (half-life: t1/2 < 10 days), β-long (t1/2 > 10 days) and α. For solid radioactive waste, the waste bags and bins provided by the radiation protection team have to be used.
The isotope Sr-90 has to be collected separately from other radioactive waste. In addition, nuclear fuel has to be collected separately from other radioactive waste. The radiation protection group can also make special arrangements for the collection of radioactive residuals, e.g., in the case of very short-lived nuclides, with the aim of releasing them according to plausibility.
Care has to be taken to ensure that radiation marks are removed before the residues are given into waste bags. This applies in particular to releasable (low-level radioactive or short-lived) residues. Radiation signs that cannot be made unrecognizable can be handed over separately to the Radiation Protection Team. The contents have to be described to the best of your knowledge; for this purpose, Radiation Protection provides waste cards. Once this is done and the waste is sealed, the Radiation Protection can be notified for pickup.
| Type of Waste | Category | Disposal route, notes |
| solid, combustible | β-short | Collection in the provided waste bins, separated in the respective category (β-short, β-long, α). Pointed and sharp objects (pipette tip, scalpels, etc.) are collected as solid, combustible waste in PE-bottles and in the respective category. After filling, the closed PE bottles (do not empty!) are transferred to the appropriate waste garbage cans. |
| β-long | ||
| α | ||
| Glass | β-short | Please collect β-short separately! For these residues, an attempt is made to obtain a release. β-long and α-waste are disposed together via the grey glass garbage cans provided in the laboratory. Please do not throw glass containers in the trash after use, try to rinse them. They can be reused in most cases. Also check if there are alternatives to using glass. |
| β-long | ||
| α | ||
|
Liquid waste, aqueous |
β-short | Disposal via the sinks marked with „weakly radioactive wastewater“. It must not contain long-lived mother nuclides. |
| β-long | Activity < 500 Bq/l: Disposal via the sinks marked with „weakly radioactive wastewater“. > 500 Bq/l: Solidify as far as possible (precipitate, evaporate, etc.) and hand it over to the radiation protection team. |
|
| α |
Activity < 5 Bq/l: Disposal via the sinks marked with „weakly radioactive wastewater“. > 5 Bq/l: Solidify as far as possible (precipitate, evaporate, etc.) and hand it over to the radiation protection team. |
|
|
Liquid waste, organic |
β-short | Collection in 5 litre canisters, provided by the radiation protection team. It must not contain long-lived mother nuclides. |
| β-long | Collection in 5 litre canisters, provided by the radiation protection team. Collect separately according to weak and strong activity. | |
| α | Collection in 5 litre canisters, provided by the radiation protection team. | |
| solid, non- combustible | β-short |
Collection takes place separately from all other waste and separately according to the respective category. Consultation with the radiation protection team is required. β-short waste must not contain long-lived mother nuclides. Aluminium is considered special non-combustible waste and has to be collected separately from other non-combustible waste. |