The safe handling, storage and disposal of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste is an essential aspect of nuclear technologies and application, and is mandated in EU legislation. One radiologically important waste product from nuclear reactors and irradiation facilities is Carbon 14 (C-14), an isotope that also occurs naturally.

If not properly confined, excess C-14 from nuclear waste could potentially pose a risk to living organisms. Due to its small content, so far C-14 has been difficult to quantify in nuclear waste streams with established techniques.

In collaboration with partners in Florence, Italy, the JRC shows that Saturated-Absorption Cavity Ring-down (SCAR), a laser-based technique, can successfully be used in the analysis of even very low C-14 concentrations in materials such as graphite and concrete, which constitute a large fraction of nuclear decommissioning waste products.

The precise determination of the C-14 content in waste stream generated during the operation and the decommissioning of nuclear power plant is crucial for the optimization of waste management strategy.