OCEANOGRAPHY IN THE UNITED STATES 343 



At both these locations something of the order of 10,000 curies of 

 radioactive material have been disposed since roughly 1949 or there- 

 abouts. At both these places we were unable to detect any increase 

 in radioactivity that could be related specifically to the disposal 

 operations. 



There are these two fact ore that play a part here, the diffusion and 

 transport in the marine environment and the nature of the container 

 and its contents to assure that it would not simply split open and 

 allow the contents to come out. The way the containers are built it is 

 conceivable they would have a leak — as a matter of fact, at a thousand 

 fathoms it is probable that there would be means of communication 

 between the ocean water and the interior of the drum. 



Mr. Miller. It has been suggested here that you have an equalizing 

 valve that would take care of those pressures with no danger of the 

 stuff getting out. Has that type of valve been put on ? 



Dr. LiEBERMAN. This has been proposed by certain installations and 

 can be used. I think the point to make here again relates to the capa- 

 bilities of the marine environment to diffuse and transport these low 

 levels of radioactivity to the point where they would not be harmful 

 so that you are not entirely dependent on the container for the safety 

 of the operation. I think the same sort of philosophy applies to the 

 disposal of any type of industrial wastes. Certainly, if you exceed 

 the safe capacity of the environment — perhaps if you look at our 

 Potomac River riglit by our door 



Mr. Miller. I would say you will find plenty of agreement on that. 

 The loss of our fish life is well evidenced. 



Dr. Lieberman. I agree thoroughly with what you are saying, that 

 in situations where you exceed the safe capacity of the environment 

 you run into trouble. Just as obviously, it is essential in the disposal 

 of radioactive wastes, as in the disposal of any industrial wastes, that 

 you make sure you do not exceed the safe capacity of the environment. 



This is certainly our intention, to be sure that the safe capacity is 

 not exceeded in any of these operations. 



Mr. Miller. Congress and the people are becoming more conscious 

 of pollution. 



We have not done much about it here. Eventually we will get 

 something done. We are taking cognizance of the pollution of our 

 waters through industrial waste, sewage disposal, and so on. 



I remember when San Francisco Bay was nothing but a big cess- 

 pool. 



We still have a lot of waste to take care of, but waste of this nature, 

 because it is different from ordinary industrial waste brought about 

 by concentrations of population, makes us a little more cautious. 



Dr. Lieberman. I would agree thoroughly. This is perhaps re- 

 flected in the amount of time and in the amount of money which has 

 been spent by the Government in connection with this specific waste 

 problem. 



Mr. Miller. We will have to spend more. We have to go into it 

 very thoroughly. 



Mr. CuRTiN. You described a used core as being hotter than a 

 pistol. Can I assume that is high level waste ? 



Dr. LiEBERMAN. It generates the high level waste when it is re- 

 processed. 



