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in many cases the National Marine Debris Database corresponds to 

 more rigorous scientific surveys and has proven remarkably 

 consistent and informative. Results of the data collected from 

 the 1992 cleanup will be released in a press conference in August 

 but preliminary information indicates that the types and 

 quantities of debris found on U.S. beaches has not changed 

 significantly over the past few years. 



In 1991, among the 5,200,741 debris items categorized on data 

 cards and entered into the Database, several are especially 

 indicative of inadequate sewage treatment and disposal practices 

 that have direct bearing on the safety of recreational beaches. 

 Although condoms and plastic tampon applicators -- traceable to 

 inadequately treated sewage — only accounted for 1% of all trash 

 items collected, the following states had unusually high rates of 

 sewage associated wastes: New Jersey, Massachusetts, 

 Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and New York. Sewage associated 

 wastes found during the cleanup were most prevalent in areas with 

 coastal combined sewer systems (namely, the mid-Atlantic and 

 Great Lakes) lending support to the argtiment that much of the 

 sewage associated wastes foiind on our beaches results from 

 discharges of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) .^ 



Syringes, hospital ID bracelets and blood transfusion bottles 

 washed up on our nations beaches are indicators of improperly 

 disposed medical wastes. Many of the syringes are also flushed 

 down toilets or discarded and make their way to beaches through 

 storm drains and inadequate sewage treatment systems. In 1991, 



