Prior to this, all radioactive waste generated by Duke University and Duke University Medical Center was managed by landfilling at the Barnwell facility. It was at this time that a large scale store for decay was started at Duke. All radioactive wastes with a half life of 90 days or less are stored on site for decay and disposal. The Environmental Programs Division of the Occupational and Environmental Safety Office handles radioactive waste management for Duke University and Medical Center.
Radioactive waste is collected in waste barrels provided by our office.
Waste must be segregated by physical form and half life category within each physical form for disposal. It is the responsibility of the individual laboratories to insure that all personnel working with isotopes understand the waste segregation and packaging procedures. This document contains the specific criteria for radioactive waste segregation, packaging and disposal. I. Segregation and Packaging of Radioactive Waste for Pickup A . Within the dry waste and aqueous liquid waste types there are three categories for segregation based on the half-life of the radioactive material.