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Where Do You Dispose of Radioactive Waste from Hospitals?

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Radioactive medical waste is anything that comes into contact with specific amounts of isotopes or a powerful radiation source. The intense radiation includes medical equipment, packaging materials, and paper wipes.

Radioactive wastes are considered to be very dangerous. Below are some of the places where they can be disposed of efficiently:

•    In an Incinerator
The insoluble liquid wastes derived from the liquid systems are disposed of in an incinerator. The incineration process helps reduce the waste size as it is concentrated in a small volume.
The incinerator should also be regulated since some radioactive waste products release gases to the atmosphere that are radioactive. The ashes that have been collected from the incinerator should be disposed of properly away from the incinerator.

•    In a Deep Pit
Radioactive experts can also bury radioactive waste in hospitals in deep pits. The radioactive wastes are first placed in a clearly labeled container to indicate their biohazard nature.
Through the approval of relevant authorities, the radioactive waste products are buried in designated pits, and they decay.

•    In Deep Boreholes
Boreholes drilled to a depth of 500 meters are ideal for the disposal of radioactive hospital waste. Radioactive materials are first placed in canisters containing used nuclear fuel.
They are then deposited 200 meters underground and covered 300 meters upwards by heavy materials to ensure radioactive emissions do not spill into the environment.

The radioactive materials should also be separated by cement, and the materials used to cover the boreholes include concrete and asphalt.

Conclusion

It's imperative to deposit the hospital's radioactive wastes in the right areas to ensure that they do not harm people if touched unknowingly.