Scott Logan
Did you know that know that most smoke alarms contain radioactive material?Most Americans and many solid waste management professionals do not realize that ionizing smoke alarms and detectors contain Americium 241 (Am-241).While there have been many public education efforts made over the past several decades about the importance of properly managing common household hazardous waste (HHW), electronic waste (E-waste) and of course wastes regulated by the Resource Conservation Recovery Act (RCRA), the smoke alarm waste stream has been largely ignored. For those ‘early eco-adopters’ who realize that placing smoke alarms in the solid waste stream is not a prudent action, the disposal information readily available to them on the Internet is most often incorrect. The following discussion is designed to explain why the radioactive material contained within an ionizing alarm requires proper management, the hazards created by mismanagement and to clarify misconceptions regarding whose responsibility it is for the device’s end-of-life management.
What’s the difference between a smoke alarm and a smoke detector? Most homes have what we now call “smoke alarms.” These units detect the presence of smoke and sound an alarm. Many properties, particularly non-residential properties, some multi-family complexes, and newer single-family homes, have smoke detectors that are components of an alarm system with a panel. The detection unit itself does not sound the alarm. Instead, when smoke is detected a signal is transmitted from the smoke detector to the control unit that then sounds the alarm throughout the premises. The term “alarm” is used interchangeably for this discussion.
Ionizing smoke alarms contain the only radioactive material that has secured a place in our daily lives, and the only waste stream that has permeated the entire US residential, commercial and industrial landscape. It is estimated that 96% of all homes have at least one smoke alarm. Most homes typically have three or more. Approximately 87% of these are ionizing as they are the least expensive of the three types of smoke alarms on the market. Factoring in alarms from non-residential properties; the number of smoke alarms in America is a waste stream worthy of thoughtful disposition.
Why do progressive waste management programs disregard a radiotoxic item from management? Household Hazardous Waste (HHW) programs have made great strides in the last 25 years to divert toxic materials and even relatively benign items such as latex paint and non-RCRA liquids and solids from the municipal waste stream. However to date, most solid waste / HHW programs refuse to accept smoke alarms and advertise to simply throw them in the trash or return them to the manufacturer. This approach has largely been driven by a void in the marketplace for a responsible and focused waste management resource, and an oft repeated internet rumor.
“I read it on the internet. It must be true.” Well-meaning HHW programs and other public waste management entities continue to erroneously promote the idea that smoke alarm manufacturers must accept smoke alarm returns. This widely-accepted myth used to be the case; but no longer. When smoke alarms became popular and gained widespread use in the 1960’s and early 1970’s they were manufactured under a general Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) license which required their return to the manufacturer after their useful life was over. During the mid to late 70’s, NRC regulations changed and smoke alarms began being manufactured under a NRC exempt distribution license. As a result, smoke alarms are no longer required to be returned to the manufacturer under this exempt license structure, as opposed to a general license that requires the accountability of radioactive materials produced by the manufacturer.
There are important differences in NRC and RCRA regulation design/applicability. Most waste professionals are familiar with RCRA regulations that differentiate between homeowners and commercial generators (and their rates of generation), but the NRC exempt distribution licenses do not differentiate between generator types or rates of generation. Another distinction is that the exemption applies to the manufacturer and not to the generator as RCRA regulations are configured.
If it is exempt, why should it matter? The amount of Am-241 in smoke alarm ranges from 0.5 microcuries to 80 microcuries. The typical contemporary alarm has approximately 1 microcurie. Am-241 is regulated by the NRC at > .05 microcuries which is 20 times less than a typical modern smoke alarm. If this level of radioactivity were not specifically exempted due to being inside a smoke alarm, the radioactive material would otherwise be subject to licensing by the NRC or NRC agreement states.
Am-241 is a long half-life (432 years) and radiotoxic isotope due to the alpha radiation it emits. (Alpha emitters are the most dangerous if ingested.) Low energy gamma radiation is also emitted which contributes to the external dose rate. While the external dose rate for most Am-241 (as for most other alpha emitters) alarms is very low, the primary hazard is from ingestion and uptake. It should be noted that in the 1960’s and 70’s, Radium 226 (Ra-226) was also used which has a half-life of 1600 years. Older model smoke alarms with higher activities of Am-241 and most all Ra-226 smoke alarms can contribute a moderate to significant dose rate and often can set off radiation portal alarms at solid waste, scrap metal and electronic waste recycling facilities.
The NRC has determined the benefits of smoke alarms manufactured under a NRC exempt distribution license outweigh the small amount of dose received when used to protect life and property against fire. However, the key is that the smoke alarm must remain intact to remain safe – and that is not likely once it enters the solid waste stream.
As the primary hazard is from ingestion and uptake, the potential hazard occurs when smoke alarms are disposed as trash in the solid waste stream or unknowingly received at electronic waste recycling facilities. Hazards are created if the smoke alarms are subsequently crushed during solid waste transport and landfill compaction operations allowing for the spread of radioactive contamination, or if radiation is released directly into the air from resource recovery combustion facilities. Also of concern is when ionizing smoke alarms are unknowingly shredded at electronic waste facilities.
Steady Turnover Requires Diversion. NFPA recommends consumers replace all smoke alarms, including alarms that use 10-year batteries and hard-wired alarms, when they are 10 years old or sooner if they do not respond properly when tested. This recommendation is being promoted more frequently in public service announcements.
Do other countries ban smoke alarms from being thrown in the trash? Yes. The U.S. is lagging behind the United Kingdom, Australia, and certain Canadian provinces, which require proper management of smoke alarms.
How should smoke alarms be recycled? Due to the radioactive nature of ionizing smoke alarms, recycling companies with specialized experience in radiation management should be used. Recyclers should perform radiological surveys, separate smoke alarms by isotope, activity and manufacturer. Detailed documentation regarding this information along with NRC exempt licensing information for each smoke alarm received should be provided by the recycler after processing smoke alarms. The plastic and metal components should be recycled. The ferrous and non-ferrous metal should be source separated and shipped for scrap metal recovery. Any non-recyclable radioactive components should be shipped for final management at a licensed radioactive waste facility. A small percentage of smoke alarms may also be returned to the manufacturer.
Lifesaving during their useful life, ionizing smoke alarms pose long-term environmental hazards when end-of-life proper management is ignored. As the only waste stream, and in this case radiotoxic, that is found across all generators—residential, commercial and industrial—careful consideration must be given by waste management professionals in dealing with these long ignored environmentally sensitive devices.
Scott Logan is owner and President of Curie Environmental Services, LLC (Albuquerque, NM). He is a 32-year waste industry veteran with experience in radioactive, hazardous and regulated medical waste. Scott can be reached at (505) 888-9392, via e-mail at [email protected] or visit www.curieservices.com.