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December 12, 1980 

 HAZARD ASSESSMENT OF THE FARALLON RADIOACTIVE WASTE DUMPSITE 

 Craig F. Smith Jerry J. Cohen 



As a result of the extensive publicity devoted to the Farallon Radioactive 

 Waste Dumpsite, a review of this situation was undertaken. Based on the 

 information currently available, some useful insights and conclusions can be 

 stated at this time. This report will present some general observations, and 

 then will offer specific summary comments and conclusions relating to the 

 Farallon situation. 



GENERAL OBSERVATIONS 



• Leaking Barrels 



A seriously mistaken impression given in media coverage is that the 

 unsealed waste containers observed at the dumpsite constitute an error or 

 miscalculation of some sort on the part of responsible officials at the 

 time the dumping occured. 



Even forty years ago scientists were well aware of the corrosive 

 properties of seawater. There was, in fact, no intent or belief that the 

 barrels and other containers would not leak. The concept was that, 

 considering the dispersive capacity of the ocean, the total quantities of 

 radioactive material disposed simply were not sufficient to constitute a 

 significant hazard. 



With regard to the alternative waste disposal philosophies of "dilute and 

 disperse" versus "concentrate and contain", it should be noted that ocean 

 disposal uses both principles to advantage. Since the intent of oceanic 

 disposal is to provide both isolation from the immediate human environment 

 and a huge medium for dispersal in the event of release from the dump 

 site, it is apparent that in either case the public health is protected. 



As previously mentioned, the waste packages were never intended to be 

 leakproof. Their major function was to hold the waste until it reached 

 the ocean floor. Any subsequent leakage would be naturally dispersed by 

 normal oceanic processes such that no significant hazard could result. 

 That was the philosophy at the time and it still makes sense. For 

 example, current International guidelines for sea disposal of radioactive 

 waste (1) state: 



"The container shall be made sufficiently strong or pliable to remain 

 intact and retain its contents under the pressure encountered during 

 descent to the sea floor ." 



Second hand drums, lined with lead or concrete, as used at the Farallons, 

 could well serve the purpose. Since most of the containers were lined 

 with concrete, it was reasonably assumed that placing steel tops would be 

 superfluous. The tops would have added little extra protection. It is 

 difficult to understand the excessive concern regarding the waste 

 containers used since there is no scientific indication of any significant 

 hazard resulting from these practices. 



