Skip to main content

Assuring a Future U.S.-Based Nuclear and Radiochemistry Expertise (2012) / Chapter Skim
Currently Skimming:

7 Environmental Management
Pages 117-126

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.


From page 117...
... Specifically, EM nuclear and radiochemists are involved in all aspects of radioactive waste management, which includes civilian waste from the nuclear power industry and medical industry and non-civilian waste from the nuclear weapons programs and depleted uranium military programs. The role of the EM nuclear and radiochemist also includes routine regulatory monitoring of fabrication, processing, and disposal sites and fate and transport studies of U.S.
Read the entire page →
From page 118...
... It is important to note that even if the United States decided to go completely nuclear free in the future, the EM workforce needs in terms of radiological monitoring and assessment would remain indefinitely. For example, the 2011-2020 strategic plan of the U.S Department of Energy Office of Legacy Management (DOE 2011, p.
Read the entire page →
From page 119...
... By 2020, some in place remedy components and controls may need to be replaced or repaired. There is not only an obligation for the United States to seek solutions to the legacy nuclear waste sites, there is the potential liability costs -- which are enormous -- of the environmental impacts from long-lived radioisotopes associated with prior activities.
Read the entire page →
From page 120...
... . If such an event were to occur in the United States, the ability of the nation to respond quickly and appropriately could be severely limited without a significant nuclear and radiochemical workforce that is well trained in the analytical detection and characterization of radioisotopes in the environment.
Read the entire page →
From page 121...
... . ments and subsequent data analysis will undoubtedly be the responsibility of national laboratories, a critical workforce shortage in nuclear and radiochemistry and the expected load on the sub-contracted private radioanalytical laboratories will negatively impact the nation's ability to respond to such a situation effectively.
Read the entire page →
From page 122...
... These national laboratory staff members include both scientists and engineers. Because of the multi-purpose nature of the DOE national laboratories, staff members are often supporting mul tiple DOE missions.
Read the entire page →
From page 123...
... radiochemistry staff member supports EM in addition to other areas such as nuclear energy or nuclear security. A unique aspect of the DOE-EM mission compared to other areas of DOE, such as national security, is that work is not just carried out by contractor organizations at national laboratories.
Read the entire page →
From page 124...
... Commercial Radiochemistry and Radioanalytical Laboratories Demonstration of compliance with environmental regulations is re quired for all entities working with radioactive materials. This includes state-level agencies, DOE EM-funded programs, DOE and the Department of Defense nuclear security programs, the civilian nuclear power enterprise, as well as medical facilities and research laboratories.
Read the entire page →
From page 125...
... Much of the radiological monitoring work involves B.S.- and M.S.-level employees with nuclear and radiochemistry training in EM, but Ph.D.-level scientists are needed for higher level state and regulatory functions, to retain and expand the knowledge base in the discipline, and to educate future generations of scientists that could enter this field. In the absence of accurate estimates for all EM sectors, the committee conservatively estimates the current and projected EM workforce (in combination with national security needs)
Read the entire page →
From page 126...
... 2011. Directory of Agreement State and Non-Agreement State Directors and State Liaison Officers.
Read the entire page →

Key Terms

  • radiochemistry expertise
  • nuclear energy
  • nuclear waste
  • radiochemistry workforce
  • legacy management

  • nuclear security
  • nuclear regulatory
  • energy environmental
  • legacy sites
  • radioanalytical laboratories

  • state regulatory
  • regulatory commission
  • mary neu
  • nuclear forensics
  • doe national

  • nuclear fuel
  • educate future
  • graduate level
  • doe office
  • radiochemistry training

  • laboratory personnel
  • radioactive waste
  • future generations
  • innovation development
  • personnel involved

  • monitoring work
  • savannah river
  • risk evaluation
  • stakeholder participation
  • radioactive materials


    • This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
    More information on Chapter Skim is available.