NRRPT Radioactive Waste Management & Disposal 2

Question 1

The 'decay-in-storage' method is most applicable for radioactive waste containing isotopes with:

Accepted Answer

Half-lives less than 90 days

Answer

Half-lives greater than 30 years

Answer

Only gamma-emitting radionuclides

Answer

Concentrations above Class C limits

Question 2

Which treatment method is most commonly used to reduce the volume of liquid radioactive waste generated at nuclear facilities?

Accepted Answer

Evaporation/concentration

Answer

Incineration

Answer

Ion exchange followed by resin burial

Answer

Centrifugation

Question 3

What does the prohibition on 'free liquids' in LLW disposal containers require?

Accepted Answer

Packaged waste must not contain liquid that can drain from the container

Answer

All radioactive water must be treated before any disposal

Answer

Liquids must be solidified with a volume reduction of at least 90%

Answer

Free liquids are prohibited only in Class B and C waste

Question 4

Cementation, bituminization, and polymer impregnation are all examples of which radioactive waste treatment process?

Accepted Answer

Solidification/stabilization

Answer

Volume reduction

Answer

Decontamination

Answer

Thermal treatment

Question 5

Greater-Than-Class-C (GTCC) LLW differs from Class C LLW primarily because:

Accepted Answer

Its radionuclide concentrations exceed Class C limits and require deeper disposal

Answer

It contains only naturally occurring radioactive material

Answer

It is generated exclusively by medical facilities

Answer

It can be disposed of at any licensed LLW facility

Question 6

Which regulatory framework governs the disposal of uranium mill tailings in the United States?

Accepted Answer

10 CFR Part 40 Appendix A and the Uranium Mill Tailings Radiation Control Act (UMTRCA)

Answer

10 CFR Part 61

Answer

40 CFR Part 191

Answer

10 CFR Part 20 Subpart K

Question 7

What is the primary radiological hazard associated with uranium mill tailings?

Accepted Answer

Alpha-emitting thorium-230 and the ingrowth of radon-222 gas

Answer

High-energy gamma radiation from short-lived fission products

Answer

Beta radiation from Sr-90 and Cs-137

Answer

Neutron activation products in the tailings pile