Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)

Note 8 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual) - USD ($)		1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		60 Months Ended
	Aug. 31, 2007	Jun. 30, 2003	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
American International Group, Inc [Member] \| Other Noncurrent Assets [Member] \| Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc [Member]
Sinking Fund Related to Second Insurance Policy			$ 5,934,000		$ 5,934,000
American International Group, Inc [Member] \| Other Noncurrent Assets [Member]
Sinking Fund Related to Insurance Policy			15,522,000		15,522,000
American International Group, Inc [Member] \| Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc [Member] \| Minimum [Member]
Renewal Fee for Additional Year under Second Insurance Policy							$ 41,000
American International Group, Inc [Member] \| Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc [Member] \| Maximum [Member]
Renewal Fee for Additional Year under Second Insurance Policy							$ 46,000
American International Group, Inc [Member] \| Perma-Fix Northwest Richland, Inc [Member]
Interest Income, Other			7,000	$ 4,000	14,000	$ 7,000
Financial Assurance Coverage Amount under Second Insurance Policy	$ 7,800,000		7,973,000		7,973,000
Annual Growth Rate of Financial Assurance Coverage Amount Under Second Insurance Policy	1.50%
Maximum Financial Assurance Coverage Amount Under Second Insurance Policy	$ 8,200,000
Sinking Fund Related to Second Insurance Policy			5,900,000		5,900,000
Interest Earned on Sinking Fund under Second Insurance Policy			234,000		$ 234,000
Period of Finite Second Insurance Policy					4 years
American International Group, Inc [Member]
Period of Finite Risk Insurance Policy		25 years
Maximum Allowable Coverage of Insurance Policy			39,000,000		$ 39,000,000
Financial Assurance Coverage Amount under Insurance Policy			38,874,000		38,874,000
Interest Earned on Sinking Fund			1,051,000		1,051,000
Interest Income, Other			$ 24,000	$ 9,000	$ 62,000	$ 23,000
Insurers Obligation to Entity on Termination of Contract			100.00%		100.00%
Bonds and Letters of Credit Outstanding Amount					$ 1,514,000