We compared the existing regulation on management of radioactive and non-radioactive wastes with the ideal legislation procedures for protection of environment. The comparison revealed the necessity of risk-based regulation, consideration for ethics and cost-effectiveness of the regulation, and optimal usage of regulation resources. In order to assess the cost-effectiveness of several different waste disposal options, the concept of disposal cost per unit radiotoxicity (mSv or m3) in waste (CPR hereafter) was introduced and calculated. The results revealed that current disposal option of high level radioactive waste (underground burial) was more cost-effective than that of TENORM and asbestos containing waste.

Volume Subject Area:
Environmental Management/Public Involvement/Crosscutting Issues
Topics:
Ethics, Nuclear industry, Radioactive wastes, Risk, Risk management, Risk-based regulations, Waste disposal
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