Year
1994
Abstract
The EPA began regulating mixed wastes in the mid-1980's but clear guidance between the NRC and EPA was not available for liquid scintillation (LSV) media at that time. Liquid scintillation media consisted of C-14 and H-3 in a toluene/xylene liquid mixture which was earlier ruled a mixed waste due to its RCRA (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act) toxicity. The Company wished to engage in the recycle or disposal of the media with licenses and permits by the State of Florida. There was considerable confusion in the regulatory process leading to a permit for a Treatment, Storage and Disposal (TSD) facility in Florida. The Company's application for permit was granted in July 1988 and has been renewed through 1995. From a radiological standpoint, the public safety had to be demonstrated via quarterly monitoring of the cement kiln used for incineration of the low activity media and the Southeast Compact had to allow the unencumbered import of the media to Florida for disposal purposes. In 1985, 70 percent of the media was disposed of in Florida, in 1990 a maximum was reached in media processing. The TSD service for the media disposal continues uninterrupted because of careful handling by the facility and the cooperation of the regulations, generators and brokers of this material. The TSD facility has made an important contribution to the national scene for disposal of the media as mixed wastes and demonstrates the level of cooperation needed to achieve such a result.