552 



25 

 Recognizing that all materials contain some level of radioactivity 



either trom naturally occurring radionuclides or fallout from nuclear 



weapons tests, the IAEA noted in 19 78 (INFCIRC 205/Add.l/Rev. 1) that 



there is no such thing technically as "nonradioactive material." 



Furthermore, it is not the intention of LDC to treat all wastes as 



potential radioactive pollutants. Therefore, the IAEA is attempting to 



define a de minimis level of radioactivity below which a material will 



not be regarded as "radioactive" for purposes of the Convention. This 



Advisory Group drafted a proposed definition to include 1) materials 



for which ocean disposal would not result in a radiation dose above one 



millirem a year and 2) materials whose radioactivity is extremely low 



and not normally considered in the issuance of permits for dumping, 



such as sewage sludge, dredge materials, and construction debris. If 



this proposed aefinition is approved by the IAEA, it will then be 



submitted to IMO for consideration by LDC Contracting Parties. 



The IAEA has also scheduled a technical committee meeting for 

 November 28-December 2, 1983 to consider the oceanographic and 

 radiological basis for the present LDC definition of high-level 

 radioactive wastes considered unsuitable for sea disposal. The U.S. 

 will send three experts to this meeting. Since the present definition 

 was adopted by the LDC in 1978, several advances have evolved in 

 principles of radiation protection and our understanding of ocean 

 dynamics and moaeiing. These advances in technology will be evaluated 

 to determine if the LDC definition should be revised. We do not 

 anticipate any major changes in the definition. 



