239 



analyzed. There was no indication that there had been any change in the level 

 of radioactivity at the site as compared with levels of radioactivity found at 

 other ocean sites where no wastes were disposed. 



In March, April, and November of 19G0, studies were made by the Pneumo 

 Dynamics Corporations, El Segundo, California, of the two Pacific Ocean sites 

 noted above. Assays of samples of bottom sediment, organisms, and bottom- 

 caught fish revealed no evidence of radioactivity above natural background 

 levels. 



The sea disposal of radioactive waste diminished considerably in the 1980's 

 because of the opening of land burial facilities for disposal of waste. In view 

 of the 1957-1960 survey results and the diminution in the quantities of radio- 

 active wastes dumped in the ocean since the studies were made, there has not 

 appeared to be a need for further monitoring situdies of the type conducted. 

 Accordingly, no further surveys of waste disposal sites have been made. 



Mr, KoGERS. Would 2T5 curies injure anybody in this room? 



Mr. Price. It certainly could, but not on the bottom of the ocean. 



Mr. Rogers. If it washed ashore? 



Mr. Eamey. 275 curies would not be injurious in a cask. Not in the 

 way it would be shielded. 



Mr. Rogers. If it is shielded, what is the point of dumping it out 

 in the ocean ? 



Mr. Ramey. It was a means of providing for permanent disposal. 



Mr. Price. Please understand, we are not arguing now for ocean 

 dumping. 



We have effectively stopped it, but in the time when waste was being 

 dumped it was mostly in solid concrete mixtures in 55 gallon 

 drums designed to sink to the bottom in whatever the depth is beyond 

 the Continental Shelf. 



Mr. Rogers. But evidently some did not. 



Mr. Price. I think a few drums did wash up on the shore, and there 

 never was 



I would have to go back to the record. 



This is a long time ago. 



Mr. Rogers. I would be concerned about this, because if you have 

 dumped 6,000 drums 1 year, 4,000 drums another, it seems to me with- 

 out any monitoring, I do not know how many would be out there, and 

 I do not think this committee would, and I think we should at least 

 have some monitoring. 



Mr. Price. There was a followthrough during those years, 



I do not believe it has been continued in recent years, but I would 

 have to supplement the record on that. 



Mr. Rogers. I understand, but I think it ought to be done. 



I should think in quantities of that amount, they are dumped off^ 

 the shore, and where we have had examples where they have come into 

 the shore, we certainly ought to keep track of this. 



Mr. Price. I will submit some information on that. 



(The information follows :) 



Recovery of Items Dumped in the Oceans 



The following summaries identify the 13 occasions on which drums were 

 found either washed ashore or picked up at sea. Of the 13 cited items, only 3, 11, 

 and 12 appeared to involve radioactive materials. None of these three occasions 

 involving radioactive materials appeared to have resulted from any violations 

 of Atomic Energy Commission regulations and, consequently, no action was 

 taken by the Atomic Energy Commission. 



