Management of Large Volumes of Waste Arising in a Nuclear or Radiological Emergency

Addressing the challenges from the Fukushima accident, this guidance offers strategies for managing large volumes of radioactive waste during nuclear emergencies. It equips policymakers, facility managers, and planners to restore affected areas, support displaced populations, and reduce environmental impacts.

This publication, prepared in light of the IAEA Action Plan on Nuclear Safety developed after the accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant, addresses the management of large volumes of radioactive waste arising in a nuclear or radiological emergency, as part of overall emergency preparedness. The management of large volumes of waste will be one of many efforts to be dealt with to allow recovery of affected areas, to support return of evacuated or relocated populations and preparations for normal social and economic activities, and/or to mitigate additional environmental impacts. The publication is intended to be of use to national planners and policy makers, facility and programme managers, and other professionals responsible for developing and implementing national plans and strategies to manage radioactive waste arising from nuclear or radiological emergencies.