Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the recovery of radiolabelled isotopes from organic substances labelled or contaminated with one or more radiolabelled isotopes, which process comprises: i) adding organic substances labelled or contaminated with a radiolabelled isotope to an acidic aqueous electrolyte containing silver ions as an electrochemically regenerable primary oxidising species; ii) subjecting the acidic aqueous electrolyte to an electric potential; and iii) recovering the radiolabelled isotope from the products of the electrochemical process resulting from the application of the electric potential; wherein the process is carried out at a slight pressure depression.

Abstract: In apparatus for decomposing organic waste by oxidation using electrochemically regenerated Ag++, provision is made for preventing unwanted carryover of organic material into recovery streams and into any solid waste produced by the apparatus. Gases formed in the processing are also treated to prevent or minimise any carryover of toxic components in gaseous effluent from the apparatus.