How is a radiopharmaceutical with a half-life of less than 120 days handled in terms of waste management?

A radiopharmaceutical with a half-life of less than 120 days can be managed through a process known as decay-in-storage. This approach is predicated on the understanding that radioactive materials lose their radioactivity over time. By allowing the radiopharmaceutical to decay to safe levels while securely stored, facilities can minimize the risks associated with radioactive waste.

The significance of this management strategy lies in the practical aspects of maintaining safety standards and complying with regulatory requirements. Typically, waste that has a short half-life can be safely stored until its radioactivity diminishes to a point where it poses no threat, at which point it can be disposed of as non-hazardous waste. This method effectively reduces the burden on hazardous waste facilities and helps streamline the waste management process.

The rationale for this answer is supported by guidelines established by organizations such as the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), which provide protocols for the handling of radioactive materials based on their half-lives. In comparison, options involving immediate disposal or sending waste to hazardous facilities would not take advantage of the beneficial decay properties of short-lived radiopharmaceuticals and would complicate waste management unnecessarily.