Kerstin Odendahl

Staatsverständnisse – ein interdisziplinärer Gedankenaustausch

Wozu braucht die Weltgesellschaft noch Staaten? Zu den Zukunftsperspektiven eines Auslaufmodells

Storage and Disposal of Radioactive Waste: The Search for a Global Solution

Questions regarding the safe storage, reprocessing and disposal of radioactive waste continue to occupy scientists, politicians and lawyers alike. Effectively, there are three main types of radioactive waste: low-, intermediate- and high-level radioactive waste. At the end of their useful lifetime, radioactive materials which become radioactive waste are first stored, i.e. secured and shielded for a certain period of time. Afterwards, they have to be disposed of, i.e. indefinitely deposited without the intention of retrieval. The technology for ensuring a safe and secure storage of radioactive waste is well-engineered. Concerning disposal means, satisfactory technologies for low-level and most intermediate-level radioactive waste have been developed. As regards high-level radioactive waste, however, a permanent solution still needs to be found. As it stands today, this third and most dangerous type of radioactive waste is merely stored while the States wait to develop disposal technology to enable more permanent solutions. In order to allow for a solution which takes into account the extreme hazardousness and longevity of high-level radioactive waste, worldwide binding substantial norms on safety and security of both storage and disposal facilities are needed. This chapter analyses whether such international rules currently exist and the extent to which they are precise and sufficiently strict. It seems that the result is rather disillusioning. Therefore, the present chapter ends with some practical and legal proposals.