15. 



States Scientists on Biological Effects of Radiation in Oceanography and 

 Fisheries", National Academy of Sciences - National Research Council, 

 October 31, 1956 (5). 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 radio- 

 active substances into coastal waters are set, in all cases, 

 by two considerations. The first is the transfer of these 

 substances 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 details 

 of the physical, chemical, and biological factors, and the 

 habits of the human population potentially affected. 



"Continuing studies are required at each disposal 

 locality to insure safety, to determine ultimate steady 

 state conditions, and to detect possible long term variations 

 arising from variability of the environment. 



"Such investigations have been carried out over a 

 number 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 innportant consideration. 

 " Packaged Wastes 



Packaged liquids and sludges in containers which can 

 rupture and thus liberate their contents to the sea, and 

 solid inate rials of density greater than sea water may also 



