Frequently Asked Questions

1 - What is a repository for radioactive waste?
Some materials used in the process of nuclear energy generation or in radioactive activities in medicine or industry end up being contaminated and need to be specially packaged for disposal to prevent contamination of the environment or people. Since these materials can remain radioactive for long periods of time, there is a need to store them in specially constructed facilities called repositories.

2 - What is the CENTENA project?
The Nuclear and Environmental Technology Center (CENTENA) is the national repository for low and intermediate-level radioactive waste. The project involves the construction of a repository capable of permanently and safely storing the radioactive waste of these categories produced in Brazil. In addition to centralizing the storage of this radioactive material, CENTENA will also have operational support buildings and facilities for research and technological development, as well as for the dissemination of nuclear sector activities and training.

3 - Why is Brazil building a permanent waste repository?
The 50 years of nuclear technology use in Brazil have accumulated a sufficient amount of low and intermediate-level waste to justify the construction of a permanent repository for these materials. The existence of a repository capable of safely storing a large volume of such waste is a requirement in the environmental licensing process for the Angra 3 nuclear power plant. It is also a requirement for the implementation of the Brazilian Multipurpose Reactor (RMB), a nuclear reactor for research and production of radioisotopes.

4 - What kind of material will be stored in the repository?
Low and intermediate-level waste will be stored. These are materials contaminated during the operation of nuclear power plants, such as clothing and instruments used during daily operations. Also included in this category are sources used in medicine and industry with a radioactive half-life limited to 30 years. The safe storage of these wastes is done worldwide with repositories built near the surface, where the pieces are immobilized, monitored, and contained with engineering barriers to ensure their isolation for a long period. Another category consists of high-level waste. These are materials generated during the fission of uranium inside nuclear power plant reactors. Due to intense contact with nuclear fuel, they remain radioactive for a long period. Their storage requires the construction of repositories at great depth - about 500 meters below the surface - in geologically selected areas to be permanently isolated from the environment.

5 - How long do these materials remain emitting radiation?
Materials with a radioactive half-life limited to 30 years are considered to be low and intermediate-level waste.

6 - What is the cost of constructing this facility?
The estimated cost of constructing the repository facilities is approximately R$ 130 million.

7 - Where will the repository be installed?
The choice of the location for the repository construction is the result of a careful selection process carried out by the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) over the past years. It takes into consideration the distance from the facilities of the main generators of radioactive waste in the country, as well as the distance from major urban centers. In addition, the analysis of geological and meteorological criteria ensures the stability and safety of the facilities.

8 - Will it be a safe facility?
Yes. The construction of a repository is primarily guided by safety. The construction of the permanent repository was planned based on successful international experiences, with the French technology serving as a basis. Its preliminary design involved the participation of Andra, the French agency responsible for coordinating the storage of radioactive waste in that country, which is an international reference in the management of radioactive material. Therefore, the construction of the facilities does not pose risks to the local population or the environment.

9 - Who will manage this facility?
The National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) will be responsible for managing the repository. The control of the facilities will be carried out through the Environmental Monitoring Program (PMA) of CNEN. This is an ongoing program based on radiological monitoring and analysis of water, soil, vegetation, and sediment samples collected in the repository area.

10 - How does Brazil currently store low and intermediate-level radioactive waste?
Currently, low and intermediate-level waste is stored in initial deposits located within the units where they are generated, or transferred to intermediate deposits under the guardianship of CNEN.