Radioactive waste, at its most basic, is considered hazardous because it emits radioactive particles. If such particles are not adequately handled, they can harm human health and the environment. Nuclear medicine technologies, radiation procedures, and other oncology treatment options are the most prominent sources of radioactive medical waste, as are scans such as positron emission tomography (PET) and combinations of PET and computed x-ray tomography (CT). Each operation consists of actions or processes that may produce radioactive waste.
Radioactive elements are known as radionuclides. These elements emit radiation at certain rates, which are quantified in half-lives. The radioactive half-life of a radionuclide is the time required for half of its radioactive atoms to decay. Some radionuclides have a half-life of only a few seconds, while others might have half-lives of thousands of years. Radioactive waste is frequently generated by a hospital's radiation treatment or nuclear medicine departments. Radioactive waste can take numerous forms, including medical equipment contaminated with a trace amount of a specific isotope, patient clothing, and personal protective equipment (PPE) worn by healthcare personnel or technicians. Radioactive waste can also originate from biological materials, sometimes known as pathological waste.
Management of Radioactive Waste In Hospitals
Radioactive wastes are classified as hazardous pharmaceutical waste. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides details on radioactive waste, including waste generated by healthcare technologies and processes and other businesses. In general, radioactive waste from hospitals or medical research institutes is classified as low-level waste. According to the EPA, low-level or low-activity radioactive materials typically contain "very small" amounts of radionuclides.
According to the EPA, radioactive wastes with "very small" concentrations of radionuclides are usually small enough that the more rigorous requirements for dealing with higher-activity radioactive materials are not necessarily necessary. Unfortunately, guidelines for the disposal of radioactive waste are inconsistent and vary depending on the waste's origin.
Handling and Storage of Radioactive Waste In Hospitals
A variety of criteria for the processing of radioactive waste management in hospitals can differ slightly by state and department, including nuclear medicine, radiology operations that involve PET scans, and even radiation oncology specializations. Radioactive waste can take several forms, including contaminated syringes and materials, as well as wasted radioactive seeds encountered in implant or pellet treatments.
Segregation of radioactive waste is critical. Such waste should be placed in a marked receptacle. Sharps and needles should be placed in a separate sharps container for disposal.
Never place any possibly contaminated item or radioactive material in "regular" garbage.
No housekeepers should dispose of radioactive garbage! Rather, radioactive waste must be protected from unauthorized removal and must always be identified in such a way that removal is only permitted by authorized people.
In hospitals that use radioactive materials, a radiation safety office or comparable professionals are in charge of collecting and transporting such waste to a designated place.
In some situations, such as a facility that routinely performs PET scans, radioactive waste may be permitted to degrade naturally on-site (as most have a relatively short half-life) and must be accompanied by compliant and accurate documentation.
Radiation Safety In Hospitals
Hospitals across the country that provide radiation or nuclear services frequently have an Office of Radiation Safety, which is in charge of both maintaining and implementing high-level safety measures. They are also in charge of maintaining and collecting records related to trash, compliance, audits, and permits, as well as the potential shipment and safe movement of radioactive materials.
Radioactive biological waste must be handled safely, including collection, storage, and disposal. With decades of knowledge in safe and compliant medical waste disposal processes, please contact us for more information on our safe and effective products and services. Our resources are focused on safety and compliance - for you, your staff, and the environment. Call us immediately to discuss your radioactive waste disposal needs. 
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