This article discusses the imminent opening of Onkalo, Finland’s underground geological repository for spent nuclear fuel, projected to be the world’s first permanent facility of its kind. Located 433 meters below ground in stable bedrock, Onkalo is designed to safely store radioactive waste for at least 100,000 years. Despite some lingering concerns from environmental groups, the project has garnered significant public trust and support within Finland, a nation committed by law to managing its nuclear waste domestically.
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Beginning February 18, 2027, smartphones and tablets sold in the EU must feature batteries that end-users can readily remove and replace. This mandate, part of the EU’s Batteries Regulation (EU) 2023/1542, aims to combat e-waste by extending device lifespans and simplifying repairs. Manufacturers will need to ensure batteries can be swapped without specialized tools or technical expertise, potentially influencing global design trends.
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At the Savannah River Site in South Carolina, a wasp nest with radiation levels exceeding federal regulations was discovered near liquid nuclear waste storage tanks. The nest, which was removed and disposed of as radioactive waste, was likely contaminated by residual radioactivity from the site’s past operations. While officials assured the public that there was no leak and no danger, a watchdog group criticized the report for lacking details about the source of the contamination. The site, once crucial for nuclear bomb component manufacturing, now focuses on fuel production and cleanup, with millions of gallons of liquid nuclear waste still stored in underground tanks.
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Belgium will ban the sale of disposable e-cigarettes starting January 1, 2024, a first for the EU, citing health and environmental concerns. The ban aims to curb teenage nicotine addiction and reduce hazardous waste from discarded devices. Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke highlighted the devices’ contribution to environmental pollution and promoted reusable alternatives as smoking cessation tools. This action precedes a call for the European Commission to strengthen tobacco legislation across the EU.
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The EPA’s recent approval of a Florida plan to utilize phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of fertilizer production, in road construction has sparked significant controversy. This isn’t a widespread rollout of radioactive roads across the Sunshine State, but rather a small-scale pilot program. The plan focuses on testing the viability of using this material, currently stored at considerable cost, as a road-building component on a limited private road. The EPA’s decision is framed as a way to explore a potentially cost-effective solution for managing vast quantities of phosphogypsum, while also evaluating its environmental impact.
This pilot project aims to determine the efficacy of phosphogypsum in road construction, specifically addressing concerns about radon containment.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood