Hazards of past low-level radioactive waste ocean dumping have been overemphasized
From 1946 to 1970, the United States disposed of low-level radioactive waste by dumping it into the ocean. Today, more than a decade after all dumping stopped, concerns over the potential environmental and public health consequences of past ocean dumping persist. In an evaluation of the adequacy of federal efforts to deal with this issue, GAO found that: the Federal Government has no complete and accurate catalogue of information on how much, what kind, and where low-level nuclear waste was dumped because detailed records were not required; the overwhelming body of scientific research and opinion shows that concerns over the potential public health and environmental consequences posed by past ocean dumping activity are unwarranted and overemphasized; and although the Environmental Protection Agency has been slow in developing low-level radioactive waste ocean dumping regulations, its current approach is sound. Nonetheless, improvements are needed in developing specific dumpsite monitoring requirements. Accordingly, GAO makes specific recommendations to improve the effectiveness of federal efforts in the area.
- Research Organization:
- General Accounting Office, Washington, DC (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 5703655
- Report Number(s):
- EMD-82-9; ON: DE82902234; TRN: 82-004110
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
New initiatives in materials security
Environmental astects of ocean dumping in the western Gulf of Mexico
Related Subjects
11 NUCLEAR FUEL CYCLE AND FUEL MATERIALS
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
RADIOACTIVE WASTE DISPOSAL
LOW-LEVEL RADIOACTIVE WASTES
RADIATION HAZARDS
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
LEGAL ASPECTS
MARINE DISPOSAL
MONITORING
RECOMMENDATIONS
HAZARDS
HEALTH HAZARDS
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS
RADIOACTIVE WASTES
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
052002* - Nuclear Fuels- Waste Disposal & Storage
054000 - Nuclear Fuels- Health & Safety
290600 - Energy Planning & Policy- Nuclear Energy
290300 - Energy Planning & Policy- Environment
Health
& Safety