wastes was simply a backdoor problem that anybody could handle. 

 But in this new atomic energy industry hazards are magnified greatly 

 by the unique potentialities of the wastes. 



We have great hopes that as a result of your deliberations we 

 can start an evaluation of the problem that will lead to final and eco- 

 nomic disposal of high level radioactive wastes. By final, I mean 

 returning those wastes to nature in some place where they can be 

 held for very, very long periods of time without jeopardy to our en- 

 vironment or property. We know that we can extract from some of 

 these wastes certain long half-life radioisotopes, but if this is done, 

 you still have to keep a reasonable control over the use and storage 

 of these materials. So the problem cannot be evaded by simply milk- 

 ing the wastes of their highly objectionable constituents. 



I think, Dr. Hess, that is about all I want to say by way of in- 

 troduction, because I know all of you are anxious to get down to the 

 meat of the problem which those who follow me will be able to pre- 

 sent to you. 



CHAIRMAN HESS: Dr. Renn, of Johns Hopkins will continue 

 the introduction. 



Dr. Charles Renn, 



Department of Sanitary Engineering h Water Resources, 



Johns Hopkins University, 



Baltimore 18, Md. 



DR. CHARLES RENN: Five points were made at the most re- 

 cent conference on ocean disposal of radioactive wastes -which I think 

 will interest you. This meeting was held on June 22-24, at Woods 

 Hole, Massachusetts. 



First, it is important to define the problem in terms of the 

 volumes and characteristics of the different wastes so that the ocea- 

 nographer can consider the variety of ways of disposing of materials 

 in the seas . 



For example, the coastal -waters above the middle Atlantic 

 continental shelf exchange, roughly, in a year and a half. This pro- 

 vides a relatively long growth interval for any crop to be in contact 

 with wastes; there is a substantial hazard to commercial fisheries if 

 the waste material is released even in dilute form over the continental 

 shelf. 



