Home > Electronic Reading Room > Basic References > Glossary > Low-level waste Low-level waste A general term for a wide range of wastes having low levels of radioactivity. Industries; hospitals and medical, educational, or research institutions; private or government laboratories; and nuclear fuel cycle facilities (e.g., nuclear power reactors and fuel fabrication plants) that use radioactive materials generate low-level wastes as part of their normal operations. These wastes are generated in many physical and chemical forms and levels of contamination (see 10 CFR 61.2).
Low-level radioactive wastes containing source, special nuclear, or byproduct material are acceptable for disposal in a land disposal facility. For the purposes of this definition, low-level waste has the same meaning as in the Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act, that is, radioactive waste not classified as high-level radioactive waste, transuranic waste, spent nuclear fuel, or byproduct material as defined in section 11e.(2) of the Atomic Energy Act (uranium or thorium tailings and waste). See also High-Level Waste and Low-Level Waste. |
