Improving the Characterization Program for Contact-Handled Transuranic Waste Bound for the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant

As operational experience is gained in the disposal of transuranic waste from nuclear weapons facilities at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in New Mexico, the Department of Energy (DOE) has opportunities to change how it "characterizes" waste to confirm that it is appropriate for shipment to and disposal at the underground repository.

The waste shipped to the facility includes gloves, rags, tools, and other debris or dried sludge that has been contaminated by radioactive elements, including plutonium, during production or cleanup activities in the DOE weapons complex.

However, before the DOE seeks regulatory approval for changes to its characterization program, the agency should conduct and publish a systematic and quantitative assessment to show that the proposed changes would not affect the protection of workers, the public, or the environment, according to the committee.

The assessment should take into account technical factors, societal and regulatory impacts, and the time and effort required to make the changes. Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive Summary1 Introduction2 Transuranic Waste Inventories3 Regulatory and Policy Framework for Waste Characterization4 Transuranic Waste Characterization Program5 A Framework for Evaluating Waste Characterization Activities6 Findings and RecommendationsReferencesA Biographical Sketches of Committee MembersB Information-Gathering MeetingsC Characterization-Related Requirements in WIPP RegulatoryDocumentsD Transportation Package Requirements Affecting WasteCharacterizationE Health and Safety Issues in Waste CharacterizationF Risk ConsiderationsGlossaryAcronyms