It is generated by commercial nuclear power reactors, hospitals, universities, manufacturers, or the U.S. Government. Some examples of low-level radioactive waste produced from nuclear power reactors include used protective clothing, resins from water cleanup equipment, filters and filter sludges, and worn out equipment. Hospital and university generated low-level radioactive waste includes liquids used in diagnostic testing and medical treatment, animal carcasses used in experiments, and used laboratory equipment and clothing. Low-level radioactive waste produced by manufacturers includes machine parts, plastics, and solvents left over from the manufacture of radioactive medical products, smoke alarms, emergency signs, and other consumer goods. It is not possible to entirely eliminate the production of low-level radioactive waste and still maintain our current standard of living.
Radioactive waste is generated in the production of many essential products.
Production of electricity at power plants generates a large volume of Radioactive waste. The development of new medicines and medical procedures by hospitals and laboratories contributes to the volume, as does the production of smoke alarms and emergency signs by industry. There is no indication that an increase in the amount of low-level radioactive waste generated will occur in the future if additional disposal sites are opened. States without access to disposal sites at the two operating sites will be storing their wastes. In addition, waste generators are continually implementing procedures in the workplace aimed at reducing the amount of low-level radioactive waste actually produced.