649 



Additional Questions of Mr. D' Amours and Answered by EPA 



In 1977 EPA issued revised regulations implemencing Che Marine 

 Proteccion, Research, and Sanctuaries Act. The regulations set forth 

 the procedures to be followed and the criceria to be applied in reviewing 

 applications to dispose of materials in ocean waters. The regulations 

 governing tne ocean disposal of radioactive wastes are based on the 

 concept of isolation and containment, and in particular require tnat 

 low-level wastes be packaged so that they will decay to innocuous levels 

 within the life expectancy of tne container and in quantities that will 

 result in snort-term, localized effects should Che container rupture. 



Keeping in mind that Section 109 of che Act directs the Secretary of 

 State, in consultation with the Administrator of EPA, to Cake appropriate 

 measures to encourage and promote the acceptance and implementation of 

 the policies of the Act throughout the international community, is Che 

 United States promoting the concept of isolation and containment as is 

 embodied in existing regulations on the international level? 



ANSWER 



Yes, the United States has promoted the concept of isolation and 

 containment in the development of recommended criteria by the 

 International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for issuing special permics for 

 radioaccive materials. These criteria were published by the IAEA in 

 August 1978 (INFCRC/205/Add.l/Rev.i; and adopted by the Contracting 

 Parties to the London Dumping Convention later that year. Section B.1.3 

 states: 



"It is essential Chat a general policy of continued isolation and 

 containment of radioactive waste after descent to the sea-bed should 

 oe pursued chrough Che use of suitable packaging to minimize Co Che 

 exCent reasonably achievable Che radioaccivicy which might ulti- 

 mately be released, thereby preventing unnecessary contamination of 

 the marine environment." 



This concept was a very controversial issue in international criteria 

 development because the common practice was to require packaging of 

 radioaccive wastes only Co Che extent necessary to assure chat the 

 materials would sinK to the ocean floor, after wnich the containers could 

 release their contents and safety was determined by dilution and dis- 

 persion of the materials. Despite consiaerable opposition the U.S. was 

 successful in getting the isolation and containment concept included. 



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