25 Pa. Code § 236.503 - Waste classification

(a) Classification by long-lived radionuclides. If the waste contains only radionuclides listed in Table 1, classification shall be determined as follows:

(1) If the concentration does not exceed 0.1 times the value in Table 1, the waste is Class A.

(2) If the concentration exceeds 0.1 times the value in Table 1 but does not exceed the value in Table 1, the waste is Class C.

(3) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 1, the waste is not generally acceptable for disposal.

(4) For waste containing mixtures of radionuclides listed in Table 1, the total concentration shall be determined under § 236.506 (relating to sum of fractions rule).

Table 1

Radionuclide	Concentration (curies/cubic meter)*
C-14	8
C-14 in activated metal	80
Ni-59 in activated metal	220
Nb-94 in activated metal	0.2
Tc-99	3
I-129	0.08
Alpha-emitting radionuclides with half-life greater than 5 years except Uranium	100**
Pu-241	3,500**
Cm-242	20,000**
Ra-226	100**

*To convert nanocuries to becquerels (Bq), multiply by 37. To convert curies to gigabequerels (GBq), multiply by 37.

**Units are nanocuries per gram.

(b) Classification by short-lived radionuclides. If the waste does not contain any radionuclide listed in Table 1, classification shall be determined based on the concentrations shown in Table 2. If the waste does not contain a radionuclide listed in Table 1 or Table 2, it is Class A.

(1) If the concentration does not exceed the value in Table 2, Column 1, the waste is Class A.

(2) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 2, Column 1, but does not exceed the value in Table 2, Column 2, the waste is Class B.

(3) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 2, Column 2, but does not exceed the value in Table 2, Column 3, the waste is Class C.

(4) If the concentration exceeds the value in Table 2, Column 3, the waste is not generally acceptable for disposal.

(5) For waste containing mixtures of the radionuclides listed in Table 2 the total concentration shall be determined under § 236.506.

Table 2

Radionuclide	Concentration (curies/cubic meter)
	Col. 1	Col. 2	Col. 3
Total of all radionuclides with less than 5-year half-life	700	**	**
H-3	40	**	**
Co-60	700	**	**
Ni-63	3.5	70	700
Ni-63 in activated metal	35	700	7,000
Sr-90	0.04	150	7,000
Cs-137	1	44	4,600

To convert nanocuries to becquerels (Bq), multiply by 37. To convert curies to gigabequerels (GBq), multiply by 37.

**There are no limits established for these radionuclides in Class B or C wastes. Practical considerations such as the effects of external radiation and internal heat generation on transportation, handling and disposal will limit the concentrations for these wastes. These wastes shall be Class B unless the concentrations of other radionuclides in Table 1 determine the waste to be Class C independent of these radionuclides.

Notes

25 Pa. Code § 236.503

This section cited in 25 Pa. Code § 236.504 (relating to classification by long- and short-lived radionuclides); 25 Pa. Code § 236.505 (relating to classification of wastes other than § 236.503); and 25 Pa. Code § 236.506 (relating to sum of fractions rule).