Subchapter F. WASTE CLASSIFICATION, WASTE
CHARACTERISTICS, LABELING AND MANIFESTS
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM Sec.
236.501. Scope and considerations.
236.502. Classes of waste.
236.503. Waste classification.
236.504. Classification by long- and short-lived radionuclides.
236.505. Classification of wastes other than § 236.503.
236.506. Sum of fractions rule.
236.507. Determination of radionuclide concentrations in waste.
236.508. Determination of hazardous life of the waste.
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE CHARACTERISTICS
236.521. Minimum requirements for classes of waste.
236.522. Stability requirements for waste form.
236.523. Stabilization of liquid waste.
236.524. Minimization of void spaces within waste packages.
LABELING AND WASTE MANIFESTS
236.531. Labeling.
236.532. Waste manifest.
236.533. Generator requirements.
236.534. Carrier requirements.
236.535. Broker requirements.
236.536. Disposal facility operator requirements.
236.537. Nonacknowledgment.
Cross References This subchapter cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.225 (relating to requirements for issuance of a license); and 25 Pa. Code § 236.405 (relating to receipt and handling of waste).
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE
WASTE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM
§ 236.501. Scope and considerations.
Determination of the classification of waste involves the following considerations:
(1) Consideration shall be given to the concentration of long-lived radionuclides—and their short-lived precursors—whose potential hazard will persist long after precautions such as the active institutional control period and improved waste form have ceased to be effective. These precautions delay the time when long-lived radionuclides could cause exposures. The magnitude of the potential dose is limited by the concentration and availability of the radionuclides at the time of exposure.
(2) Consideration shall be given to the concentration of shorter-lived radionuclides for which requirements on institutional controls, waste form and disposal methods are effective.
§ 236.502. Classes of waste.
(a) Class A waste is a waste that is usually segregated from other waste classes at the disposal site. The physical form and characteristics of Class A waste shall meet the minimum requirements in § 236.521 (relating to minimum requirements for classes of waste). Class A waste shall also be emplaced in a disposal facility that meets the requirements in § § 236.314 and 236.322 (relating to enhanced containment; and long term stability of disposal units).
(b) Class B waste is waste that meets more rigorous requirements on waste form to ensure stability after disposal. The physical form and characteristics of Class B waste shall meet both the minimum and stability requirements in § § 236.521 and 236.522 (relating to stability requirements for waste form). Class B waste shall also be emplaced in a disposal facility that meets the requirements in § § 236.314 and 236.322. In addition, Class B waste requires protection against inadvertent intrusion, as set forth in § 236.320 (relating to protection from inadvertent intruders).
(c) Class C waste is waste that not only meets more rigorous requirements on waste form to ensure stability but also requires additional measures at the disposal facility including measures to protect against inadvertent intrusion. The physical form and characteristics of Class C waste shall meet both the minimum and stability requirements in § § 236.521 and 236.522. Class C waste shall also be emplaced in a disposal facility that meets the requirements in § § 236.314, 236.320 and 236.322. In addition, Class C waste shall be disposed of in accordance with § 236.327 (relating to Class C waste).
§ 236.503. Waste classification.
(a) Classification by long-lived radionuclides. If the waste contains only radionuclides listed in Table 1, classification shall be determined as follows:
(1) If the concentration does not exceed 0.1 times the value in Table 1, the waste is Class A.
(2) If the concentration exceeds 0.1 times the value in Table 1 but does not exceed the value in Table 1, the waste is Class C.
(3) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 1, the waste is not generally acceptable for disposal.
(4) For waste containing mixtures of radionuclides listed in Table 1, the total concentration shall be determined under § 236.506 (relating to sum of fractions rule).
*To convert nanocuries to becquerels (Bq), multiply by 37. To convert curies to gigabequerels (GBq), multiply by 37.
**Units are nanocuries per gram.
(b) Classification by short-lived radionuclides. If the waste does not contain any radionuclide listed in Table 1, classification shall be determined based on the concentrations shown in Table 2. If the waste does not contain a radionuclide listed in Table 1 or Table 2, it is Class A.
(1) If the concentration does not exceed the value in Table 2, Column 1, the waste is Class A.
(2) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 2, Column 1, but does not exceed the value in Table 2, Column 2, the waste is Class B.
(3) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 2, Column 2, but does not exceed the value in Table 2, Column 3, the waste is Class C.
(4) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 2, Column 3, the waste is not generally acceptable for disposal.
(5) For waste containing mixtures of the radionuclides listed in Table 2 the total concentration shall be determined under § 236.506.
Table 2
Concentration
(curies/cubic meter)Radionuclide Col. 1 Col. 2 Col. 3 Total of all radionuclides with less than 5-year half-life 700 ** ** H-3 40 ** ** Co-60 700 ** ** Ni-63 3.5 70 700 Ni-63 in activated metal 35 700 7,000 Sr-90 0.04 150 7,000 Cs-137 1 44 4,600 To convert nanocuries to becquerels (Bq), multiply by 37. To convert curies to gigabequerels (GBq), multiply by 37.**There are no limits established for these radionuclides in Class B or C wastes. Practical considerations such as the effects of external radiation and internal heat generation on transportation, handling and disposal will limit the concentrations for these wastes. These wastes shall be Class B unless the concentrations of other radionuclides in Table 1 determine the waste to be Class C independent of these radionuclides.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.504 (relating to classification by long- and short-lived radionuclides); 25 Pa. Code § 236.505 (relating to classification of wastes other than § 236.503); and 25 Pa. Code § 236.506 (relating to sum of fractions rule).
§ 236.504. Classification by long- and short-lived radionuclides.
If the waste contains a mixture of radionuclides, some of which are listed in Table 1 of § 236.503 (relating to waste classification) and some of which are listed in Table 2 of § 236.503 classification shall be determined as follows:
(1) If the concentration of a radionuclide listed in Table 1 of § 236.503 does not exceed 0.1 times the value listed in Table 1, the class shall be that determined by the concentration of radionuclides listed in Table 2 of § 236.503.
(2) If the concentration of a radionuclide listed in Table 1 of § 236.503 exceeds 0.1 times the value listed in Table 1, but does not exceed the value in Table 1, the waste shall be Class C, if the concentration of radionuclides listed in Table 2 of § 236.503 does not exceed the value shown in Table 2, Column 3.
§ 236.505. Classification of wastes other than § 236.503.
If the waste does not contain a radionuclide listed in either Table 1 or Table 2 of § 236.503 (relating to waste classification), it is Class A waste.
§ 236.506. Sum of fractions rule.
For determining classification for waste that contains a mixture of radionuclides, it is necessary to determine the sum of fractions by dividing each radionuclide’s concentration by the appropriate limit and adding the resulting values. The appropriate limits shall be taken from the same column of the same table. The sum of the fractions for the column shall be less than, or equal to, 1 if the waste class is to be determined by that column.
Example: A waste contains Sr-90 in a concentration of 50 Ci/m (1.85 TBq/m) and Cs-137 in a concentration of 22 Ci/m (814 GBq/m). Since the concentrations both exceed the values in Table 2 of § 236.503, Column 1, they must be compared to Column 2 values. For Sr-90 fraction, 50/150 = 0.33; for Cs-137 fraction, 22/44 = .5; the sum of the fractions = 0.83. Since the sum is less than 1, the waste is Class B.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.503 (relating to waste classification).
§ 236.507. Determination of radionuclide concentrations in waste.
The concentration of a radionuclide may be determined by indirect methods such as use of scaling factors which relate the inferred concentration of one radionuclide to another that is measured; or radionuclide material accountability, if there is reasonable assurance that the indirect methods can be correlated with actual measurements. The concentration of a radionuclide may be averaged over the volume of the waste, or weight of the waste if the units are expressed as nanocuries per gram.
§ 236.508. Determination of hazardous life of the waste.
The hazardous life of the waste is the amount of time that it takes for the disposed low-level radioactive waste to decay to levels so that it can be demonstrated that unrestricted use of the site would result in a dose to a member of the public using the site that is no greater than the dose from natural background radioactivity, in the soil, prior to the site being used for disposal.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.247 (relating to termination of license).
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTE
CHARACTERISTICS
§ 236.521. Minimum requirements for classes of waste.
The following are minimum requirements for classes of waste and are intended to facilitate handling and provide protection of health and safety of personnel at the disposal site. The requirements are as follows:
(1) Waste shall be packaged in conformance with the conditions of the license issued to the site operator to which the waste will be shipped. If the conditions of the site license are more restrictive than this chapter, the site license conditions shall govern.
(2) Waste may not be packaged for disposal in cardboard, wooden or fiberboard boxes.
(3) Liquid waste shall be solidified.
(4) Waste that has been dewatered shall contain as little free-standing liquid as is reasonably achievable, but the liquid may not exceed 1% of the volume.
(5) Waste may not be capable of detonation or of explosive decomposition or reaction at normal pressures and temperatures, or of explosive reaction with water.
(6) Waste may not contain, or be capable of generating, quantities of toxic gases, vapors or fumes harmful to persons transporting, handling or disposing of the waste. This restriction does not apply to radioactive gaseous waste packaged under paragraph (8).
(7) Waste may not be pyrophoric. Pyrophoric materials contained in wastes shall be treated, prepared and packaged to be nonflammable.
(8) The Department will review on a case-by-case basis, requests for disposal of gaseous waste. Gaseous waste disposal is required to receive Department approval prior to disposal. Waste in gaseous form shall be packaged at a gauge pressure that does not exceed 1.5 atmospheres at 20°C. Total activity may not exceed 100 curies—3.7 TBq—per container.
(9) Waste containing hazardous, biological, pathogenic or infectious material shall be treated to reduce to the maximum extent practicable the potential hazard from the nonradiological materials.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.502 (relating to classes of waste); 25 Pa. Code § 236.523 (relating to stabilization of liquid waste); and 25 Pa. Code § 271.1 (relating to definitions).
§ 236.522. Stability requirements for waste form.
(a) The requirements of this section and § § 236.523 and 236.524 (relating to stabilization of liquid waste; and minimization of void spaces within waste packages) are minimum requirements that are intended to provide stability of the waste. Stability is intended to ensure that the waste does not degrade and affect overall stability of the site through slumping, collapse or other failure of the disposal unit. Stability is also a factor in limiting exposure to an inadvertent intruder, since it provides a recognizable and nondispersible waste.
(b) Waste shall have structural stability. A structurally stable waste form will generally maintain its physical dimensions and its form, under the expected disposal conditions such as weight of overburden and compaction equipment, the presence of moisture and microbial activity, and internal factors, such as radiation effects and chemical changes. Structural stability can be provided by the waste form itself, processing the waste to a stable form or placing the waste in a disposal container or structure that provides stability after disposal.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.502 (relating to classes of waste).
§ 236.523. Stabilization of liquid waste.
Notwithstanding § 236.521(3) and (4) (relating to minimum requirements for classes of waste), liquid waste or waste containing liquid, shall be converted into a form that contains as little freestanding liquid as is reasonably achievable. The liquid may not exceed 1% of the volume of the waste when the waste is in a disposal container designed to ensure stability, or .5% of the volume of the waste for waste processed to a stable form.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.522 (relating to stability requirements for waste form).
§ 236.524. Minimization of void spaces within waste packages.
Void spaces within the waste and between the waste and its package shall be reduced to the extent practicable.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.522 (relating to stability requirements for waste form).
LABELING AND WASTE MANIFESTS
§ 236.531. Labeling.
A container of waste shall be clearly labeled to identify whether it is Class A, Class B or Class C Waste or mixed waste, under this subchapter.
§ 236.532. Waste manifest.
(a) A shipment of waste shall be accompanied by a shipment manifest that contains the name, address, telephone number and Department permit identification number of the generator, the carrier who is to transport the waste and the broker who will manage the waste. The manifest may also designate alternate carriers or brokers.
(b) The manifest shall contain a physical description of the waste, the waste volume, radionuclide identity and quantity, the total radioactivity, the principal chemical form and the waste classification—for example, Class A, Class B, Class C or mixed waste in accordance with this chapter. Waste containing more than .1% chelating agents by weight shall be identified and the weight percentage of the chelating agent shall be identified. The manifest shall show the total quantity of the radionuclides H-3, C-14, Tc-99 and I-129.
(c) The manifest shall have a manifest identification number, and if the shipment contains hazardous waste, an EPA hazardous waste identification number.
(d) The waste manifest shall be on a form prepared by the Department. The information provided shall be sufficient to develop a waste data base and conduct performance assessment analyses.
(e) The manifest shall include a certification by the waste generator that the transported materials are properly classified, described, packaged, marked and labeled and are in proper condition for transportation according to 49 CFR Parts 170—179, 10 CFR Part 71 (relating to packaging and transportation of radioactive material) and this title. The certification shall acknowledge that the signer is subject to penalties for violation of the law. The manifest shall be signed and dated by an authorized representative of the generator.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.534 (relating to carrier requirements).
§ 236.533. Generator requirements.
A generator who transfers waste to the disposal facility or a broker shall:
(1) Prepare waste so that the waste is classified and characterized under this chapter.
(2) Conduct a quality assurance/quality control program approved by the Department to assure compliance with this subchapter. The program shall include management evaluation of audits.
(3) Prepare a complete manifest. The manifest shall contain the number of copies which will provide the generator, carriers, brokers and the disposal facility with one copy for their records and copies to be returned to the generator and to be forwarded to the disposal facility and the Department.
(4) Obtain the handwritten signature of the initial carrier and date of acceptance on the manifest.
(5) Retain a copy of the manifest with documentation of acknowledgment of receipt as the record of transfer.
(6) Forward a copy of the manifest to the disposal facility and another copy to the Department.
(7) Give the carrier the remaining copies of the manifest.
(8) Conduct an investigation under § 236.537 (relating to nonacknowledgment), for a shipment or part of a shipment for which acknowledgment of receipt has not been received within the time set forth in § 236.537.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.535 (relating to broker requirements).
§ 236.534. Carrier requirements.
(a) No carrier may accept waste from a generator or broker unless it is accompanied by and conforms with a complete and valid manifest under § 236.532 (relating to waste manifest).
(b) Before transporting waste, a carrier shall sign and date the manifest acknowledging acceptance of the waste from the generator or broker before leaving the generator’s or broker’s property.
(c) The carrier shall ensure that the manifest accompanies the waste, and shall deliver it to the carrier, broker or regional facility, as designated on the manifest. The carrier shall contact the generator or broker who delivered the waste to him for further instructions, and shall revise the manifest in accordance with instructions written and signed by the generator or broker. Upon making the designated delivery, the carrier shall:
(1) Obtain a date of delivery and handwritten signature of the carrier, broker or regional facility operator.
(2) Retain a copy of the manifest.
(3) Forward a copy of the manifest to the Department.
(4) Give the remaining copies of the manifest to the regional facility operator or the broker.
(5) Retain the copies of the manifest signed by the person who delivered the waste to him, by himself and by the person receiving the waste from him for a period of 3 years.
(d) The carrier shall certify that nothing has been done to the waste which would invalidate the generator’s or broker’s certification.
§ 236.535. Broker requirements.
(a) No broker may receive waste from a generator, carrier or broker unless that waste is accompanied by a complete and valid manifest.
(b) The broker receiving waste shall:
(1) Sign and date each copy of the manifest to certify that the waste was received.
(2) Note in the manifest discrepancies between materials listed on the manifest and materials received. The broker shall also attempt to resolve discrepancies with the generator, carrier or broker. If the broker is unable to resolve the discrepancies within 15 days of receiving the waste, he shall notify the Department in writing, and include a copy of the manifest with the letter.
(3) Give the carrier delivering the waste a copy of the signed manifest.
(4) Notify the generator that the waste has been received.
(5) Obtain the handwritten signature of the next carrier as designated on the manifest and date of acceptance.
(6) Retain a copy of the manifest with documentation of acknowledgment of receipt as a record of transfer for a period of 3 years.
(7) Forward a copy of the manifest to the disposal facility and another copy to the Department.
(8) Give the carrier the remaining copies of the manifest.
(9) Retain the copies of the manifest signed by the person receiving the waste from him for a period of 3 years.
(10) Conduct an investigation under § 236.537 (relating to nonacknowledgment), for a shipment or part of a shipment for which acknowledgment of receipt has not been received within the time set forth in § 236.537.
(c) If the broker repackages, processes, incinerates, solidifies, treats, evaporates or performs another process which results in the generation of a new waste or waste form, the broker shall comply with the generator requirements of § 236.533 (relating to generator requirements), including preparation and implementation of a quality assurance/quality control program, waste preparation and preparation of a new manifest. If the broker consolidates prepackaged waste into one shipment but does not generate a new waste or waste form, he may prepare a new manifest under § 236.533, or he may combine the several manifests of the consolidated shipments.
§ 236.536. Disposal facility operator requirements.
(a) The disposal facility operator may not receive waste from a generator, broker or carrier unless it is accompanied by a complete and valid manifest.
(b) The disposal facility operator shall:
(1) Sign and date the manifest to certify that the waste was received.
(2) Note in the manifest discrepancies between materials listed on the manifest and materials received. The operator shall also attempt to resolve any discrepancies with the operator generator, carrier or broker. If the disposal operator is unable to find an explanation for the discrepancies within 15 days of receiving the waste, the operator shall notify the Department in writing, explaining the discrepancies and attempts to resolve them, and include a copy of the manifest with the letter.
(3) Give the carrier delivering the waste a copy of the signed manifest.
(4) Notify the generator and broker within 15 days of its receipt.
(5) Retain the copies of completed manifests until the license is transferred to the custodial agency. During license transfer, the disposal facility operator shall transfer the manifests to the custodial agency. The custodial agency shall maintain copies of the manifest until the license is terminated.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.401 (relating to scope and purpose).
§ 236.537. Nonacknowledgment.
A generator or broker who has not received acknowledgment of receipt of the waste shipment from the next broker or the regional facility operator within 15 days of delivery shall immediately investigate why the shipment has not been received by the person so designated on the manifest. If the generator or broker is unable to locate the shipment, he shall prepare a report on the investigation conducted and shall file the report with the Department within 2 weeks after completion of the investigation.
Cross References This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.533 (relating to generator requirements); and 25 Pa. Code § 236.535 (relating to broker requirements).
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