Belarusian strategy on handling radioactive waste explained

MINSK, 6 March (BelTA) – Representatives of the Nuclear and Radiation Safety Department of the Belarusian Emergencies Ministry (Gosatomnadzor) have explained what the Belarusian strategy on handling radioactive waste provides for. The strategy was adopted by the Council of Ministers' resolution No.128 of 15 February 2023, BelTA has learned.

The strategy defines the principles of ensuring safety in the field of radioactive waste management, the main directions of development and improvement of the national system for managing radioactive waste of all categories that is formed and generated in Belarus. The document also looks into the current state and problems of the radioactive waste management system, goals and tasks in this field.

The strategy reflects the need to build a single radioactive waste disposal facility and proposes solutions for accumulated radioactive waste, including storage facilities of the specialized enterprise for radioactive waste management Ekores, “historical heritage” sites and waste generated during decontamination work in the wake of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant disaster.

Belarus' entire territory is under consideration for building the radioactive waste disposal facility. Favorable geological formations (rocky rocks of the Ukrainian crystalline shield, powerful clay and salt strata in the area of Mozyr gas deposits and other places) are sought. First of all, areas with the organizations that produce radioactive waste, territories exposed to radioactive contamination as a result of the Chernobyl disaster, including the territory of the radiation reserve, are being looked into.

Nowadays over 750 Belarusian economic entities in production sector, healthcare, science, education and other spheres use various radioactive substances that cannot be used further once they lose their consumer properties. Most of the radioactive waste is generated as a result of the nuclear power plant's operation. The country generates radioactive waste of different types (gaseous, liquid and solid waste) and categories (very low-, low-, medium- and high-activity). Very short-, short-, and long-lived radioactive waste is also generated.