In view of the possible need for disposal of low-level radioactive waste in Delaware under the Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982, the Delaware Geological Survey has prepared this report to assist the citizens of our State in understanding this complex subject. Emphasis here is on geologic and hydrologic aspects of disposal. Health, social, and economic factors are outside the scope of this report and are not discussed. However, they are very important integral parts of the safe disposal of low-level radioactive waste, and must be considered when selecting suitable disposal sites.
This report was prepared to provide a simple but comprehensive overview of programs and concepts of highly radioactive waste disposal. This report is not based on original research, but was prepared from data and information reported in voluminous publications of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Geological Survey.