History of Radioactive Waste - How Did We Get Here?

Radioactivity was discovered by Henri Becquerel in 1896. Marie and Pierre Curie subsequently investigated the phenomenon and discovered polonium and radium in 1898. Over a century later now, we may well ask "What did they do with their garbage?" From those early days to Hanford, Savannah River, and West Valley today, the management of radioactive materials has followed a tortuous path. Although you can be sure that the early scientists did not want to hurt themselves, apparently not much thought went into the potentially hazardous effects of new materials or experiments. This paper will present a brief overview of the history of radioactive waste management.