discharge of low activity hazards into sewage system. The discharge is ensured to
achieve the community safety standpoint, so that no negative consequences occur in
case of sludge formation in nearby area of human population (Khan et al. 2010).
13.1.4 Radioactive Wastes from Research Institutes
Research institutes and universities are often using radionuclides for tracing the
metabolic or environmental pathways necessary for monitoring the activities of
materials such as drugs, minerals, pesticides and biomolecules. The radionuclides
mostly used are C-14, H-3, I-125, etc. Many radionuclides which are used are short
lived with few long-lived radionuclides like C-14. Transuranic elements which also
have longer half-lives may also be present in the radioactive wastes from research
institutes.
13.1.5 Radioactive Wastes from Industry
Sealed radioactive sources (SRS) are mostly found in industrial application of
radionuclides. They are contained in specialized devices for testing in a
non-destructive manner and for quality control measures and also in luminous
display and as a tracer. In industrial setting, spent or unused SRS are great sources
of hazard and found in several serious accidents. Tritium 3 (3H), Phosphorus
32 (32P), Nickel 63 (63Ni), Americium 241 (241Am) and Strontium 90 (90 Sr)
are some of the radionuclides used in industries for measuring the thickness of the
product. Tritium 3 is also used in case of water movement, luminous and electronic
valves and Americium 241 can be used in smoke detectors. Cobalt 60 (60 Co) is
another radionuclide applied in sterilization and irradiation. For gauging, eye applicators and radiography Krypton 85 (85 Kr), Strontium 90 (90 Sr) and Caesium
137 (137 Cs) radioactive materials are used, respectively.
13.1.6 Radioactive Wastes from Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Material (NORM)
Radioisotopes or radioactive materials which are present naturally in the Earth’s
crust and due to anthropogenic activity their ionizing radiation gets exposed to
public domain are commonly referred to as NORM. NORM originates from burning
of fossil fuels as well as mining, using of fertilizers and gas production. Uranium
mining is the major source of NORM exposure. Key sources are U-238 and Th-232
decay series. Another source of NORM includes radon gas which is itself a decay
13 Role of Microbes in Bioremediation of Radioactive Waste
333
achieve the community safety standpoint, so that no negative consequences occur in
case of sludge formation in nearby area of human population (Khan et al. 2010).
13.1.4 Radioactive Wastes from Research Institutes
Research institutes and universities are often using radionuclides for tracing the
metabolic or environmental pathways necessary for monitoring the activities of
materials such as drugs, minerals, pesticides and biomolecules. The radionuclides
mostly used are C-14, H-3, I-125, etc. Many radionuclides which are used are short
lived with few long-lived radionuclides like C-14. Transuranic elements which also
have longer half-lives may also be present in the radioactive wastes from research
institutes.
13.1.5 Radioactive Wastes from Industry
Sealed radioactive sources (SRS) are mostly found in industrial application of
radionuclides. They are contained in specialized devices for testing in a
non-destructive manner and for quality control measures and also in luminous
display and as a tracer. In industrial setting, spent or unused SRS are great sources
of hazard and found in several serious accidents. Tritium 3 (3H), Phosphorus
32 (32P), Nickel 63 (63Ni), Americium 241 (241Am) and Strontium 90 (90 Sr)
are some of the radionuclides used in industries for measuring the thickness of the
product. Tritium 3 is also used in case of water movement, luminous and electronic
valves and Americium 241 can be used in smoke detectors. Cobalt 60 (60 Co) is
another radionuclide applied in sterilization and irradiation. For gauging, eye applicators and radiography Krypton 85 (85 Kr), Strontium 90 (90 Sr) and Caesium
137 (137 Cs) radioactive materials are used, respectively.
13.1.6 Radioactive Wastes from Naturally Occurring
Radioactive Material (NORM)
Radioisotopes or radioactive materials which are present naturally in the Earth’s
crust and due to anthropogenic activity their ionizing radiation gets exposed to
public domain are commonly referred to as NORM. NORM originates from burning
of fossil fuels as well as mining, using of fertilizers and gas production. Uranium
mining is the major source of NORM exposure. Key sources are U-238 and Th-232
decay series. Another source of NORM includes radon gas which is itself a decay
13 Role of Microbes in Bioremediation of Radioactive Waste
333