Storage and Disposal of Nuclear Hazardous Waste

Radioactive waste is a byproduct of nuclear technology and industrial processes. Unlike any other waste stream, radioactive waste is hazardous to living beings and the environment. Due to the harmful effects of radioactivity, radioactive wastes are governed and regulated by the government authority for the safety of the people and the environment. At first, radioactive waste is collected and segregated into categories. Some wastes are stored in a temporary storage facility before proceeding to the treatment phase, which includes volume reduction, waste immobilization, and shielding. The majority of the waste volume after the treatment phase goes directly into long-term geological disposal. Highly radioactive spent fuel and reprocessing wastes are currently stored in temporary storage facilities until a long-term disposal solution is built. This chapter provides an overall review of radioactive wastes and their management strategies.