Key Terms

Conditional exemptions remove the requirement for certain owners and operators to comply with RCRA regulations for specific materials that meet specific criteria. For example, the radioactive portion of a hazardous waste mixture is conditionally exempt from the RCRA regulations. However, the radioactive waste is subject to regulations by other government regulations.

Low-level mixed waste (LLMW) refers to waste that contains both low-level radioactive waste and RCRA hazardous waste.

Low-level radioactive waste (LLW) is a radioactive waste such as source, special nuclear, or byproduct materials. LLW excludes the following:

• High-level radioactive waste
• Transuranic waste
• Spent nuclear fuel
• Byproduct materials

Low-level radioactive waste disposal facility (LLRWDF) refers to a facility that disposes of low-level radioactive waste.

Naturally occurring and/or accelerator-produced radioactive material (NARM) refers to radioactive materials that are either:

• Naturally occurring (and not LLW materials)
• Produced by an accelerator

NRC refers to the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Source material is a type of nuclear material made up of natural and depleted uranium and sometimes plutonium.

To learn more about RCRA visit our RCRA Hazardous Waste Safety Online Training web page.