519 



SUMMARY COMMENTS 



• As a result of a review of the available information, and an analysis 

 based on the natural toxicity of the Farallon area, it is concluded that 

 there is no significant current or anticipated future public health hazard 

 as a result of past practices in the ocean dumping of radioactive wastes. 

 Even under the most pessimistic assumptions regarding the contents of the 

 radioactive waste containers at the Farallon dumpsite, no significant 

 hazard could conceivably result from even a complete release of this 

 material to the ocean. The toxic potential of the radioactive waste is 

 trivial relative to that of the naturally occurring radioactive and 

 non-radioactive toxic material existing in the same sediment and water 

 column. It is safe to assume that if the naturally-occurring oceanic 

 poisons were a serious problem, mankind would long since have succumbed to 

 their effects. 



• The levels of radiotoxicity represented by the waste dumpsites are not 

 unprecedented either qualitatively or quantitatively. Indeed, the toxic 

 inventory of the natural radioactive materials far exceeds anything that 

 man has added. In this regard, it is important to note that no 

 distinction can be made between the effects of "human made" and "natural" 

 radioactivity. In fact, it has been determined that the major "human 

 made" nuclides of concern (Plutonium, Cesium 137, and Strontium 90) exist 

 naturally, although at low concentrations. 



• The continued bombardment of the public with scientifically baseless 

 allegations of environmental threats can in time have serious 

 consequences. It can lead to the misdirection of government resources 

 toward solving non-existent problems such as the environmental effects of 

 the Farallon dumpsite. Squandering public money and effort in this manner 

 precludes the possiblity of spending it in areas where it might be more 

 beneficially applied. 



Another consequence of pursuing the "Chicken Little" approach by causing 

 public alarm over such trivial or non existent problems is that, at some 

 future time, a genuine and serious public health threat may appear. 

 Because of previous false scares, legitimate warnings may be ignored by 

 the public. It is extremely important to consider this possiblity before 

 it gets to the point where we "cry wolf" once too often. 



