8.3 Radioactive waste

Radioactive waste is categorized into low-level radioactive waste, mediumlevel radioactive waste, high-level radioactive waste, and liquid scintillation solution.

When handling radioactive waste, it is essential to follow the rules set by the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority (SSM) as well as the local regulations set by Lund University.

Quality handbook for radioactive waste

There must be a quality handbook (journal) in which all low-level radioactive, medium-level radioactive, and high-level radioactive waste are registered. The information must be saved for at least five years.

Low-level radioactive waste

This category includes the following:

• Low-level radioactive waste: Refers to waste where the activity in each waste container does not exceeds the values specified in the third column of appendix 1 to the Swedish Radiation Safety Authority’s regulations SSMFS 2018:3. Additionally, the total activity in the waste submitted during one calendar month must not exceed ten times the values specified in the third column of appendix 1.
• Low-level radioactive scintillation vials (Note: Non-radioactive scintillation vials are chemical waste).

All materials that may have become contaminated must be thoroughly cleaned or properly disposed of. These materials include glassware, wipes, gloves, spill pads, pipettes, and similar items.

Waste handling

If the waste is sharp, it must be placed in a “sharps container” or a similar plastic container.

The waste must be packed in a designated brown cardboard box intended for chemical waste. Consider the waste’s content - for instance, if it is sharp, it should be put in a plastic container. You can pick-up these boxes at the janitor’s office. The provided box comes unlabeled and includes a plastic bag.

• Pack the waste in into the plastic bag. If the waste contains liquid, fill the plastic bag with an absorbent material (such as vermiculite) in an amount sufficient to absorb the entire liquid content.
• Place the bag with its contents inside the brown cardboard box.
• Do not close the plastic bag or seal the box. Wait for SYSAV Industri to handle the waste.
• Write your name and contact information in the preprinted fields on the box.

Label the box as “low-level radioactive waste” (pictured below) and place the label well visible on the top of the box. 

Printable label for low radioactive waste

If you are uncertain about packaging, contact SYSAV Industri. They will advise you on packaging, and if requested, they can handle the waste packaging. The Lund University radiation safety physicist can also answer questions about waste handling and packaging.

To schedule a collection of waste

Fill in the form for removal of low-level radioactive waste. The form is found and downloaded on Waste, hazardous waste and recycling - Lund University Staff pages. The form is also available in Swedish on Avfall, farligt avfall och källsortering - Medarbetarwebben. 

If you have cans and bottles without labels, make sure to mark them with a label for chemical waste or low radioactive waste. Download it from 8.Waste handling - Kemicentrum Canvas page (login with Lucat).

SYSAV will contact you to schedule a pick-up. Typically, documentation is directly sent from SYSAV to EHS coordinator at Kemicentrum for filing. However, any documentation handed over to you must be saved within your
division for 5 years for future reference.

Medium and highly radioactive waste

This waste material must remain (be kept) within the department or division until an agreement on the appropriate disposal of the waste has been made with The Lund University radiation safety physicist. 

To ensure proper handling, follow these steps:

• Paste a label onto the box containing information about the radionuclide, the person in charge, and the radioactivity level at the time of packing.
• The box must be stored correctly according to instructions provided by the radiation safety physicist.

For questions related to radiation waste and safety, direct them to The Lund University radiation safety physicist. For contact information, see the right column.