Abstract

Residual materials generated during various processes, such as industrial manufacturing or hospital treatments, can be slightly radioactive. These materials must be assessed to see whether they may be recycled or have to be disposed of as radioactive waste. Measurements are therefore performed to determine their levels of radioactivity. It is not always possible to measure all the material involved, as big objects or large piles of rubble may be involved. In such cases, samples are taken.

RIVM has listed the methods that can be used to sample and measure the radioactivity in materials. This was necessary because there are no clear instructions about sampling or measuring in the Dutch legislation or regulations on radiation protection and because new, stricter regulations on radioactivity in materials went into force in 2018. RIVM was commissioned by the Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ANVS) to carry out this research.

RIVM has described and summarised in brief each method available for measuring or sampling radioactive waste. It has also drawn up a step-by-step plan, including points that must be taken into account when performing measurements, to be able to release the waste for recycling. Entrepreneurs can use the list and step-by-step plan to process their waste properly. Finally, the list also shows the situations for which there are still no suitable methods.

As a result of the stricter legislation, different, usually expensive, laboratory equipment, which can measure lower levels of radioactivity, is often needed. It can, furthermore, be difficult to measure the radioactivity concerned, for example if the waste comprises different kinds of materials or if the amounts of radioactivity are so low that they are close to the accepted levels.