RSO Radioactive Waste Management 1

Question 1

Low-level radioactive waste (LLRW) in the United States is regulated primarily under:

Accepted Answer

The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act and NRC 10 CFR Part 61

Answer

The Low-Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act assigns disposal responsibility to states/compacts, while NRC 10 CFR Part 61 establishes the technical and licensing requirements for LLRW disposal facilities.

Question 2

Which of the following waste streams is classified as high-level radioactive waste (HLW)?

Accepted Answer

Spent nuclear fuel from a commercial power reactor

Answer

High-level waste includes spent nuclear fuel and reprocessing waste from commercial reactors because they contain highly radioactive fission products requiring long-term geological disposal.

Question 3

The 'decay-in-storage' (DIS) method for short-lived radioactive waste disposal requires holding waste until its activity decays to:

Accepted Answer

Background levels, verified by survey with an appropriate detector

Answer

DIS involves storing waste until it reaches background levels and is verified as background by a radiation survey, after which it can be disposed of as non-radioactive solid waste.

Question 4

Mixed waste contains both radioactive material and:

Accepted Answer

RCRA hazardous chemical waste

Answer

Mixed waste is defined as material that contains both radioactive components regulated by the NRC/DOE and RCRA hazardous chemical components regulated by the EPA.

Question 5

NRC Class A, B, and C classifications for LLRW are based primarily on:

Accepted Answer

The radionuclide content and concentration relative to NRC tables in 10 CFR 61.55

Answer

10 CFR 61.55 classifies LLRW as Class A, B, or C based on the concentrations of specified radionuclides, with Class C being the highest concentration allowed in near-surface disposal facilities.

RSO - Radiation Safety Officer Practice Test

RSO - Radiation Safety Officer Practice Test

RSO Radioactive Waste Management 1