Institutional radioactive waste is the result of the beneficial use of nuclear energy and radiation, produced during various procedures in medicine, research and industry. 

MEDICINE

Diagnostics: Radioactive isotopes such as technetium-99m are used in medical imaging methods such as scintigraphy to diagnose various diseases and conditions.
Radiotherapy: Radioactive substances, such as cobalt-60 or various isotopes of iodine, are used to treat cancer. They destroy malignant cells or inhibits their growth.
Thyroid radiotherapy: The isotope iodine-131 is used to treat hyperthyroidism and thyroid cancer.
Brachytherapy: In this form of radiation therapy, radioactive substances such as iridium-192 are placed directly near tumors for local radiation.

INDUSTRY

Materials inspection: Radioactive sources such as the isotope iridium-192 are used in industry to inspect and detect defects in welds, pipes, and other structures.
Flow measurement: Radioactive isotopes such as cobalt-60 are used to measure the flow of liquids and gases in industrial processes.
Level measurements: Radioactive substances such as cesium-137 are used to measure the level of liquids in industrial reservoirs.

RESEACH

Nuclear Physics: Radioactive substances are used in experiments that study the properties of nuclear particles and radiation as well as help understand the basic laws of the universe.
Archaeology: Carbon dating, a method based on the radioactive isotope carbon-14, is used to determine the age of archaeological finds.
Biological research: Radioactive isotopes such as tritium are used to track biological processes and study metabolism in organisms.

It is important to note that safety precautions are strictly followed when using radioactive materials to ensure minimal radiation exposure and protection from the dangers that radioactivity can pose. Holders of radioactive waste must hand over the waste to an authorized public service provider who has the appropriate infrastructure, equipment and knowledge. The authorized contractor of the public service is ARAO, which provides significant infrastructural support for the implementation of socially beneficial activities through professional and responsible radioactive waste management.

MANAGEMENT OF INSTITUTIONAL RADIOACTIVE WASTE INCLUDES: 

Collecting:the acceptance and transport of radioactive waste (RW) produced by known holders, unknown holders and in case of an accident involving RW in Slovenia.

Treatment and conditioning: treatment and conditioning of newly received and already stored RW into a form suitable for storage, and the treatment and conditioning of RW in order to reduce its volume and improve safety. This includes also the conditioning of RW for shipping abroad for recycling, or the possible delivering of a radiation source for reuse to another licensed RW holder.

Storage: the storage of RW in the Central Storage Facility, checking of the state of RW content and packaging, the maintenance of database on the storage inventory, and the search for options for the recycling and reuse of used radiation sources. Stored RW may be cleared if its activity falls below the legally determined clearance level.

In addition to the above, we manage and operate the CSF, where institutional radioactive waste is stored. Handling of received radioactive waste is carried out in a way that ensures compliance with the standards of protection of human health and the environment.