| Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details) (USD $) | 3 Months Ended | 9 Months Ended | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep. 30, 2014 | Jun. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Sep. 30, 2014 | Sep. 30, 2013 | Dec. 31, 2013 | |
| Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items] | ||||||
| Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) | $ (57,165,000) | $ (57,165,000) | $ (55,078,000) | |||
| Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent | 1,871,000 | (808,000) | (2,087,000) | (4,596,000) | ||
| Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Income | (11,000) | 3,530,000 | ||||
| Working Capital Deficit | 226,000 | 226,000 | ||||
| Revenue, Net | 16,905,000 | 19,072,000 | 40,106,000 | 61,685,000 | ||
| Backlog | 10,681,000 | 10,681,000 | ||||
| Increase in Backlog | 4,604,000 | 2,986,000 | ||||
| Gains (Losses) on Restructuring of Debt | 37,000 | 65,000 | ||||
| Perma-Fix of South Georgia [Member] | ||||||
| Note 1 - Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items] | ||||||
| Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Other Income | $ 3,530,000 | |||||
| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition Represent waste received but revenue not recognized yet No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition Represents the increase in backlog during the period. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Details 
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- Definition An entity has a working capital deficit if its current assets are less than its current liabilities. No definition available. 
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| X | ||||||||||
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- Definition Amount of other income attributable to disposal group. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition For a debtor, the aggregate gain (loss) recognized on the restructuring of payables arises from the difference between the book value of the debt before the restructuring and the fair value of the payments on the debt after restructuring is complete. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The portion of profit or loss for the period, net of income taxes, which is attributable to the parent. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition The cumulative amount of the reporting entity's undistributed earnings or deficit. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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- Definition Total revenue from sale of goods and services rendered during the reporting period, in the normal course of business, reduced by sales returns and allowances, and sales discounts. Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef 
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