21. 



procedures. The raaterial can be contained , thereby essentially remov- 

 ing it from man' s environment until the natural radioactive decay pro- 

 cess brings it to non -hazardous levels. Under conditions of complete 

 containment the hazard can be eliminated for all except those who pro- 

 cess the material for containnaent. Or the material may be dispersed 

 to such an extent that the concentration of radioactivity in man' s 

 environment is below levels that previous experience has established 

 as hazardous. 



The manner in which radioactive wastes are now prepared for 

 sea disposal suggests that it is the intent to use the sea both for con- 

 tainment and for dispersal. The containers are fabricated in an 

 attempt to have them withstand long submersion without releasing the 

 activity to the environment, thereby achieving a holding period during 

 which decay may take place. Once the containers do corrode and rup- 

 ture the remaining activity is pictured as being dispersed to non- 

 hazardous levels (if holding has not already achieved this condition) by 

 the large dilution that is available in the oceans. 



Serious difficulties stand in the way of making quantitative esti- 

 mates of the extent to which either containment or dispersal in the 

 oceans will achieve the desired end. If containment alone is to be 

 successful, it must be known that the container will remain intact until 

 the activity (which must be known as to kind and quantity) has suffi- 



