Management of Radioactive Waste in Libya: Case Study
Publication: Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 20, Issue 3
Abstract
Libya has dealt with a high number of radioactive sources since the end of the 1950s when oil exploration processes started. Today, there are more than 125 facilities in the country tha use radioactive sources for medical applications, in the oil and gas industry, and in educational institutions. Libya also has a research reactor, with nominal power of 10 MW, that has been operated by the Tajura Nuclear Research Centre (TNRC) since 1983; in addition, the TNRC produces and uses a number of radioactive sources. Naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) is also present in Libya, and they are primarily produced from the exploration and operations within the oil and gas industry. To maximize the protection of the environment and human health from the detrimental effects of radioactive waste (RW) in Libya, efforts have been made to develop and implement a sufficient and effective RW management (RWM) system. The Libyan RWM system consists of: the Libyan national policy for RWM, legislative framework, and RWM facilities. This study will explain the Libyan system of RWM and, moreover, evaluate the current state of RWM in the country using a strength, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis methodology to draw conclusions and recommendations.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to express their thanks to the Libyan standing committee for the development of the national policy and strategy for safe management of RW and for using part of the document in the this article (the corresponding author is a member of the committee as well). The help of IAEA and their experts through the INT/9/176 project is also highly appreciated.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste
Volume 20 • Issue 3 • July 2016
Copyright
© 2016 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Jun 21, 2015
Accepted: Nov 25, 2015
Published online: Mar 2, 2016
Published in print: Jul 1, 2016
Discussion open until: Aug 2, 2016
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