Innovative Solutions for the Management and Safety of Radioactive Waste

Radioactive waste is generated by all activities associated with nuclear energy production, including nuclear power plants and the fuel cycle, as well as research and development activities. In addition, smaller but significant amounts of radioactive waste come from other areas, such as medical diagnosis and treatment, production quality control and scientific research. In Italy, radioactive waste is classified according to its physical state and radioactivity levels, as defined by the Decree of 7 August 2015. Each category of waste requires specific treatment and conditioning processes to minimize its volume and make it suitable for short, medium or long-term storage, final disposal or disposal in accordance with legal standards. The management of this waste requires careful attention to protect workers, the public and the environment from radiological risks. At the national level, waste management is regulated by Legislative Decree no. 45/2014 and Legislative Decree no. 101/2020 and its amendments, together with the ISIN Technical Guide no. 33. This work aims to explore the key technological, regulatory and safety aspects of the management of radioactive waste. It will cover current practices and innovative solutions for waste management.

Keywords: Radioactive waste, Waste management, Nuclear medicine, Radioprotection, Waste conditioning.