Hazards of Ocean Disposal: The NCRP committee resolved that 
there are 3 types of hazards to be considered in oceanic disposal 
of radioactive wastes: direct, indirect, and ecological. Direct 
hazards are those in which there is sufficient concentration of 
active material to involve danger to anyone coming close to the 
material, e. g. containers of radioactive wastes dumped at sea can 
be dangerous if they float. Indirect hazards are those involved in 
the reconcentration of radioactive wastes by organisms living in the 
sea, especially when these organisms ultimately may be used for human 
food. By biochemical concentration, the organisms in the food chain 
may reach high levels of radioactivity. An ecological hazard arises 
from radioactive materials being added to the sea. The radioactivity 
(10) 
results in an unpredictable change of biological life in the ocean. 
«50 
