From Deseret News archives:

The waste Envirocare accepts

Published: Thursday, Feb. 15, 2001 1:12 p.m. MST

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Envirocare of Utah accepts four types of low-level radioactive wastes:

NORM— Naturally Occurring Radioactive Material is of the least radioactive types of wastes, which consists of soil and rock left over from uranium mining. This comprises of 5 percent of Envirocare's business.

11e2 — Similar to the norm waste but has a slightly higher radioactive component. This also consist of materials left behind from uranium mining and milling. These are the kinds of dangerous waste that comprised of the Vitro cleanup in South Salt Lake and the Atlas tailings near Moab. This kind of waste make up 40 percent of Envirocare's business.

Class A — This is primarily contaminated soils that are not naturally occurring. It's primarily soil that contains short-lived radioactive materials that will decay to harmless levels in 500 years or less. Most comes from Department of Energy cleanup sites. This kind of waste make up about 50 percent of Envirocare's business.

Mixed waste — This is mainly low-level radioactive wastes that's mixed with hazardous waste, which is soil contaminated with lead, cadmium and solvents. This comprises of 5 percent of Envirocare's business.

Class B and C — This type of waste isn't part of Envirocare's business yet but the company is seeking to expand its license to include it. It's mostly materials contaminated by nuclear-power plants, research labs and hospitals. It would constitute just 2 percent of Envirocare's business, but it would significantly boost the radioactivity of the wastes disposed. In some cases these types of wastes are so lethal someone who got close enough could receive a fatal dose, say experts.