What waste disposal methods are used?
With the exception of sea dumping, which relied largely upon dilution and dispersion in the environment, but is now suspended, all disposal concepts for L/ILW rely on isolation from the biosphere at least initially and until radioactive decay has made subsequent releases to the environment compatible with radiation protection criteria. Multi-barrier containment systems have been designed for this purpose and most countries have already defined and sometimes implemented disposal practices and policies. The length of the isolation period required is governed by the radiotoxic properties of the waste and particularly the half-lives of the radionuclides contained. A surface or near-surface facility is usually regarded as suitable for short-lived, low-level waste, provided some form of site surveillance is maintained after closure of the site, notably to prevent intrusion by man. However, it is clearly recognised that the maintenance of institutional control (i.e. any form of surveillance b
