It is now believed that as a result of monitoring studies made 
during the build-up to the 1000 curie per month discharge level, anda 
reassessment of the ''safety factors'' that were included in the original 
studies and recommendations, authorization has been given to discharge 
at the rate of 10,000 curies per month. 
A summary of the discussions at the meeting has been distributed 
under the title ''Report of a Meeting of United Kingdom and United States 
Scientists on Biological Effects of Radiation in Oceanography and Fish- 
eries,'' National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, Oc- 
tober 31, 1956 (6). A portion of that report is quoted below, as it has 
direct bearing on the studies of the present committee. 
Disposal into Coastal Waters 
Maximum quantities and rates of disposal of radioac- 
tive substances into coastal waters are set, in all cases, by 
two considerations. The first is the transfer of these sub- 
stances back to man and his surroundings. The second is 
the effect upon the marine resources and environment. 
Bulk Liquids 
In coastal waters it will, in general, be possible, in 
proper circumstances, to dispose of wastes in dilute liquid 
form, but the permissible quantities of radioactivity in such 
wastes may be expected to vary considerably from one area 
to another because of the diverse nature of coastal situations. 
A careful study is required to determine the safe 
quantity of each isotope in each situation, including the de- 
tails of the physical, chemical, and biological factors, and 
the habits of the human population potentially affected. 
Continuing studies are required at each disposal lo- 
cality to insure safety, to determine ultimate steady state 
conditions, and to detect possible long term variations aris- 
ing from variability of the environment. 
Such investigations have been carried out Over a num- 
ber of years in the Irish Sea and the results indicate that 
fission products can be safely released in that area at an 
average rate of several hundred curies a day; it appears 
likely, therefore, that similar quantities of waste could be 
safely liberated in some other areas. 
In selecting locations for nuclear installations the 
waste disposal problems should be taken into account, Be- 
cause of the additive effects of wastes independently dis- 
charged into the same water mass, the proximity of other 
facilities is an important consideration, 
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