Radon Beds and Other Naturally Radioactive Product Waste to Be Incinerated if Combustible, Sealed and Landfilled if Non-Combustible

Enforcement Decree of the Waste Management Act Passed at the Cabinet Meeting

Radon mattress. (File photo) [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Sejong=Asia Economy Reporter Joo Sang-don] Starting this September, combustible natural radioactive product waste that does not meet radiation safety standards, such as radon beds, will be incinerated mixed with other waste, and the resulting ash will be landfilled, while non-combustible waste will be sealed and landfilled.

On the 2nd, the Ministry of Environment announced that the amendment to the "Waste Management Act Enforcement Decree" containing these details was approved at the Cabinet meeting.

Until now, related waste such as radon beds had no proper disposal standards and was stored at the respective business sites under the supervision of the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, but from this September, disposal will be possible according to the "Natural Radioactive Product Waste" treatment guidelines.

First, according to the amendment to the Waste Management Act Enforcement Decree, waste from processed products that do not meet the radiation safety standards under the Act on Safety Control of Radiation around Living Environments and have a radioactivity concentration of less than 10 Bq per gram must be treated as "Natural Radioactive Product Waste," a designated waste category.

Combustible natural radioactive product waste must be incinerated mixed with other waste within 15% of the total daily incineration volume, and the resulting ash must be landfilled, while non-combustible natural radioactive product waste must be sealed and landfilled.

At incineration facilities, natural radioactive product waste must be incinerated at no more than 1,000 tons annually, and at landfill facilities, the combined amount of natural radioactive product waste and its ash must not exceed 1,200 tons. These standards were established considering radiation exposure to workers and nearby residents during the disposal process.

Additionally, safety standards must be followed when collecting, transporting, and storing natural radioactive product waste, and recycling of natural radioactive product waste and its ash is prohibited.

Natural radioactive product waste must be transported in sealed packaging by workers wearing protective equipment such as dust masks and stored in areas where public access is restricted.

The Ministry of Environment plans to prepare for the smooth implementation of the new system by September, when the amended Waste Management Act Enforcement Decree and Enforcement Rules come into effect, in cooperation with related ministries, industries, and local communities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.