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HISTORY OF DUMPING OPERATIONS 



On the basis of the information EPA has gathered to date, the 

 following are salient points in the history of U.S. ocean dumping of 

 radioactive materials. A tabular summary of the designated dump sites 

 follows this list 



Between 1946 and 1970 the ocean dumping of radioactive wastes was 

 conducted under the licensing authority and direction of the Atomic 

 Energy Commission; 



In 1960, the AEC imposed a moratorium on the issuance of new 

 dumping licenses, allowing existing licenses to remain in orce and 

 to be renewed; 



By 1963 most ocean dumping activities had been phased out, and, 

 in 1970, the U.S. terminated all ocean dumping of radioactive waste 

 materials; 



In 1973, the U.S. ratified the 1972 London Dumping Convention, 

 prohibiting, among other things, the ocean disposal of high level 

 nuclear wastes and allowing for the future dumping of low-level 

 radioactive wastes only under controlled conditions stipulated by 

 the Convention; 



From 1946 thru 1962 (two years after the license moratorium), the 

 U.S. dumped a total of approximately 89,400 containers with an 

 estimated inventory of 94,400 curies (Ci) of radioactivity; 



Between 1963 and 1970 (when all dumping was terminated) the U.S. 

 dumped only about 350 containers with an estimated total activity of 

 about 230 curies. 



The Farallon Island Sites (collectively) received approximately 

 99 percent of the radioactivity dumped in the Pacific Ocean; 



The Atlantic 2800 Meter Sites received approximately 96 percent 

 of all radioactivity dumped in the Atlantic. 



