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Management of Commercially Generated Radioactive Waste - U.S. ...

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6.2.5.4 Space Disposal<br />

6.198<br />

The principal argument for space disposal is its promise for extraterrestrial disposal<br />

<strong>of</strong> selected radioisotopes; but substantial reservations exist concerning this concept.<br />

These include the potential radiological risk <strong>of</strong> the concept during the operational period,<br />

non-radiological health effects, potential conflicts with international law, and the diffi-<br />

culty <strong>of</strong> developing acceptable corrective action capabilities. Because <strong>of</strong> these conditions,<br />

priority development <strong>of</strong> space disposal as an alternative to mined repositories would appear<br />

to be unwise.<br />

6.2.5.5 Island Disposal<br />

The island disposal concept appears to present few advantages over the subseabed con-<br />

cept or the mined repository and is characterized by significant uncertainties regarding<br />

its potential for long-term isolation <strong>of</strong> waste. The principal potential advantage <strong>of</strong> island<br />

disposal is sociopolitical--it <strong>of</strong>fers the possibility <strong>of</strong> a repository site remote from habi-<br />

tation and, thus, possibly <strong>of</strong> greater acceptability to the general public. Furthermore, the<br />

potential for international cooperation in establishing a repository at a "neutral" site<br />

might be presented by an island. Subseabed, however, <strong>of</strong>fers the same advantages; thus the<br />

island concept would have merit only if the sociopolitical advantages were seen to be highly<br />

important, an appropriate island were available, and if the subseabed concept proved not to<br />

be technically acceptable. Because <strong>of</strong> these considerations, and because <strong>of</strong> great uncer-<br />

tainties regarding the waste isolation potential <strong>of</strong> island geology, development <strong>of</strong> this con-<br />

cept is not recommended.

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