Radiation-contaminated solid wastes are normally generated in the laboratory as a result of radioactive experimental and analytical processes. Aggregates of solid wastes in the laboratory were placed in three small plastic bags, each weighing 600 g, and labeled 1, 2, and 3. The three smaller bags are subsamples from one the larger bins containing waste materials generated from a laboratory radiological experiment. The gamma spectrometer, RadEye B20-ER dose meter, and Radiacode 110 were utilized for surface contamination measurements. The resulting spectral peaks and the activity concentration from the gamma spectrometer measurements indicate the presence of low-level gamma-emitting radioisotopes. Analysis of the results from all measurements shows low contamination levels and poses no radiological risk to humans and the environment.
References
[1]
Kumari, I., Kumar, P. and Srihari, B.K. (2025) Radioactive Waste: Treatment and Management. In: Kumar, P. and Kumar, B., Eds., Global Waste Management, Scrivener Publishing, 195-214.
[2]
Adeola, A.O., Iwuozor, K.O., Akpomie, K.G., Adegoke, K.A., Oyedotun, K.O., Ighalo, J.O., et al. (2023) Advances in the Management of Radioactive Wastes and Radionuclide Contamination in Environmental Compartments: A Review. Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 45, 2663-2689. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-022-01378-7
[3]
Prelas, M., Boraas, M., De La Torre Aguilar, F., Seelig, J., Tchakoua Tchouaso, M. and Wisniewski, D. (2016) Radioisotopes. In: Prelas, M., et al., Eds., Nuclear Batteries and Radioisotopes, Springer International Publishing, 39-79. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-41724-0_2
[4]
Adesi, S.I. (2025) Concentration of Thorium 232 on a Dump Site. Compressed.
[5]
Heinitz, S., Kajan, I. and Schumann, D. (2022) How Accurate Are Half-Life Data of Long-Lived Radionuclides? Radiochimica Acta, 110, 589-608. https://doi.org/10.1515/ract-2021-1135
[6]
Chauvel, C. (2021) Long-Lived Radionuclides. In: Encyclopedia of Geology, Elsevier, 125-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-08-102908-4.00177-6
[7]
Michel, R. (1999) Long-Lived Radionuclides as Tracers in Terrestrial and Extraterrestrial Matter. Radiochimica Acta, 87, 47-74. https://doi.org/10.1524/ract.1999.87.12.47
[8]
Ma, L. (2022) Trithiol Ligand Development for Radioarsenic and Radioantimony toward Potential Theranostic Radiopharmaceutical Agents. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Missouri-Columbia.
[9]
Burgess, P., Corby, R., Delahunty, D., Judge, S., Keightley, L., Lee, C., et al. (2014) Practical Radiation Monitoring.
[10]
Youvan, D.C. (2024) Post-Nuclear Event Radiation Monitoring: Practical Guidelines for Gamma Ray Spectrometer Use.
[11]
Pant, G.S. (2021) Radiation Safety in Nuclear Medicine. In: Khalil, M.M., Ed., Basic Sciences of Nuclear Medicine, Springer International Publishing, 29-46. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-65245-6_2
[12]
Amiard, J.-C. (2021) Management of Radioactive Waste. Wiley. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119866480
[13]
Raj, K., Prasad, K.K. and Bansal, N.K. (2006) Radioactive Waste Management Practices in India. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 236, 914-930. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2005.09.036
[14]
Rahman, R.A. (2012) Planning and Implementation of Radioactive Waste Management System. In: Radioactive Waste, IntechOpen.
[15]
Muiambo, C.C.E., Joao, I.M. and Navas, H.V.G. (2022) Lean Waste Assessment in a Laboratory for Training Chemical Analysts for the Pharmaceutical Industry. International Journal of Lean Six Sigma, 13, 178-202. https://doi.org/10.1108/ijlss-11-2020-0184
[16]
Leoneti, A.B., Vitorino dos Santos, D., da Silva, R.S., Henriques Ferreira, A., César Pimenta, A. and Valle Walter Borges de Oliveira, S. (2020) Process Management Framework for Chemical Waste Treatment Laboratories. Business Process Management Journal, 26, 447-462. https://doi.org/10.1108/bpmj-06-2019-0233
[17]
Kumar, P., Yadav, S. and Yadav, A. (2024) Radioactive Waste Minimization and Management. In: Garg, V.K., et al., Eds., Green Chemistry Approaches to Environmental Sustainability, Elsevier, 165-184. https://doi.org/10.1016/b978-0-443-18959-3.00003-3
[18]
Peterson, R.A., Buck, E.C., Chun, J., Daniel, R.C., Herting, D.L., Ilton, E.S., et al. (2018) Review of the Scientific Understanding of Radioactive Waste at the U.S. DOE Hanford Site. Environmental Science & Technology, 52, 381-396. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.7b04077
[19]
Pillai, J.S., Srivastava, A., Ansari, S.A. and Chaudhury, S. (2021) Clean Methodology for Nuclear Laboratory Waste Remediation: Part-II: Recovery of Americium. Journal of Cleaner Production, 280, Article ID: 124342. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.124342
[20]
Balashevska, Y., Balashevskyi, O., Gerliga, V., Kuba, I., Kostenko, V. and Korsun, D. (2024) Challenges and Progress in Spent Ion-Exchange Resin Management at NPPs. Nuclear and Radiation Safety, No. 2, 14-24. https://doi.org/10.32918/nrs.2024.2(102).02
[21]
Talat, L.A., Bady, F.M., Hassanien, M.H., Kamal El-Deen, A.M. and Hussein, A.M. (2011) Study of Solid Waste and Ashes Content of Radioactive and Heavy Metals in Assiut Thermal Power Plant. JES. Journal of Engineering Sciences, 39, 1335-1342. https://doi.org/10.21608/jesaun.2011.129443
[22]
Monnet, A., Percebois, J. and Gabriel, S. (2015) Assessing the Potential Production of Uranium from Coal-Ash Milling in the Long Term. Resources Policy, 45, 173-182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resourpol.2015.04.005
[23]
Yang, Z., Wang, C., Liu, D., Li, Y., Ning, Y., Yang, S., et al. (2019) Investigation of Elements (U, V, Sr, Ga, Cs and Rb) Leaching and Mobility in Uranium-Enriched Coal Ash with Thermochemical Treatment. Journal of Cleaner Production, 233, 115-125. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.038
[24]
Popov, O., Iatsyshyn, A., Kovach, V., Artemchuk, V., Kameneva, I., Radchenko, O., et al. (2021) Effect of Power Plant Ash and Slag Disposal on the Environment and Population Health in Ukraine. Journal of Health and Pollution, 11, Article ID: 210910. https://doi.org/10.5696/2156-9614-11.31.210910
[25]
Xin, J., Hong, C., Wei, J., Qie, J., Wang, H., Lei, B., et al. (2023) A Comprehensive Review of Radioactive Pollution Treatment of Uranium Mill Tailings. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 30, 102104-102128. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-023-29401-z
[26]
Carvalho, F., Fesenko, S., Harbottle, A., Lavrova, T., Mitchell, N., Payne, T., et al. (2023) The Environmental Behaviour of Uranium.
[27]
Hansson, E., Pettersson, H.B.L., Yusuf, I., Roos, P., Lindahl, P. and Eriksson, M. (2022) Particle Size-Dependent Dissolution of Uranium Aerosols in Simulated Lung Fluid: A Case Study in a Nuclear Fuel Fabrication Plant. Health Physics, 123, 11-27. https://doi.org/10.1097/hp.0000000000001564
[28]
Bj？rk, K.I., Holgersson, S., Thuvander, M. and Ekberg, C. (2022) Effect of the Thorium Oxide Content on the Leaching of a Mixed Thorium-Uranium Oxide Fuel. Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry, 331, 2849-2857. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10967-022-08347-5
[29]
Jones, S., Boxall, C., Maher, C. and Taylor, R. (2023) A Review of the Reprocessability of Uranium Nitride Based Fuels. Progress in Nuclear Energy, 165, Article ID: 104917. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2023.104917
[30]
Wang, J. and Wan, Z. (2015) Treatment and Disposal of Spent Radioactive Ion-Exchange Resins Produced in the Nuclear Industry. Progress in Nuclear Energy, 78, 47-55. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pnucene.2014.08.003
[31]
Aly, M.M. and Hamza, M.F. (2013) A Review: Studies on Uranium Removal Using Different Techniques. Overview. Journal of Dispersion Science and Technology, 34, 182-213. https://doi.org/10.1080/01932691.2012.657954
[32]
Robinson, C. (2023) Management of Radionuclide Contamination in Groundwaters at Sellafield: In Situ Phosphate Mineralisation Approaches. Ph.D. Thesis, The University of Manchester (United Kingdom).
[33]
Lorenzen, J., Lindberg, M. and Luvstrand, J. (2002) Handling and Treatment of Uranium Contaminated Combustible Radioactive Low Level Waste (LLW). Studsvik RadWaste AB, SE-611 82 Nykoeping (SE).
[34]
Suarez-Navarro, J.A., Sanjuán, M.á., Mora, P. and Alonso, M.d.M. (2024) An Evaluation of the Radioactive Content of Ashes Obtained from the Use of Fuels from Recycled Materials by Co-Processing in the Cement Industry. Materials, 17, Article No. 2287. https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102287
[35]
Adamczyk, J., Smo？ka-Danielowska, D., Krz？ta？a, A. and Krzykawski, T. (2023) Rare Earth Elements, Uranium, and Thorium in Ashes from Biomass and Hard Coal Combustion/Co-Combustion. Gospodarka Surowcami Mineralnymi-Mineral Resources Management, 39, 87-108. https://doi.org/10.24425/gsm.2023.145882
[36]
Harnett, L.C. (2022) Thermal Treatments for the Conditioning of Orphan Nuclear Materials. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Sheffield.
[37]
Fuks, L., Herdzik-Koniecko, I., Kiegiel, K., Miskiewicz, A. and Zakrzewska-Koltuniewicz, G. (2022) Methods of Thermal Treatment of Radioactive Waste. Energies, 15, Article No. 375. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15010375
[38]
Raj, K., Kaushik, C.P. and Mishra, R.K. (2013) Radioactive Waste Management in U/Th Fuel Cycles. In: Das, D.S. and Bharadwaj, R., Eds., Thoria-Based Nuclear Fuels: Thermophysical and Thermodynamic Properties, Fabrication, Reprocessing, and Waste Management, Springer, 335-405. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4471-5589-8_8
[39]
Chepngeno, T.A. (2015) Status and Challenges of Hazardous Waste Management among Handlers at Thika Level 5 Hospital, Thika Sub-County, Kiambu County, Kenya. A Research Thesis, The School of Public Health of Kenyatta University.
[40]
Martin, C.J., Marengo, M., Vassileva, J., Giammarile, F., Poli, G.L. and Marks, P. (2019) Guidance on Prevention of Unintended and Accidental Radiation Exposures in Nuclear Medicine. Journal of Radiological Protection, 39, Article No. 665. https://doi.org/10.1088/1361-6498/ab19d8
[41]
Rahman, R.O.A., Kozak, M.W. and Hung, Y. (2014) Chapter 16. Radioactive Pollution and Control. In: Handbook of Environment and Waste Management: Land and Groundwater Pollution Control, World Scientific, 949-1027. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789814449175_0016
