§ Mr. Llew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what arrangements exist for the storage of technetium-99 concentrates at Sellafield; how many waste streams from reprocessing at Sellafield contain Tc-99; and what long-term plans there are for the disposal of Tc-99. [52776]
§ Mr. BattleI have been asked to reply.
Technetium-99(Tc-99) arises from both Magnox and Thorp reprocessing operations. The Tc-99 from Thorp is contained in the high-level waste stream and is immobilised in glass in the vitrification plant. Magnox operations lead to a discharge of Tc-99 to sea.
High integrity tanks provide long-term storage for the concentrate and solvent used in reprocessing operations prior to treatment.
The disposal of Tc-99 is subject to the limits and conditions in the authorisation to dispose of liquid radioactive waste, issued to BNFL under the Radioactive Substances Act 1993. Over and above the requirements for BNFL to comply with the limits in the authorisation is a requirement to use best practicable means to limit the activity of discharges. BNFL is actively investigating potential technologies for reducing Tc-99 discharges and part of a development programme agreed with the Environment Agency.