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Hazards of Past Low-Level Radioactive Waste Ocean Dumping Have Been Overemphasized

EMD-82-9 Published: Oct 21, 1981. Publicly Released: Nov 23, 1981.
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Highlights

GAO evaluated the environmental and public health consequences of past ocean dumping of low-level radioactive waste. Its report discussed federal efforts to identify the extent of past ocean dumping, ensure that it poses neither an environmental nor public health hazard, and ensure that any possible future dumping is conducted safely and in an environmentally acceptable manner.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected Recommendation Status
Environmental Protection Agency In addition to embracing the internationally established guidance, the Administrator of EPA should develop specific criteria for dumpsite monitoring and periodic monitoring requirements for all future dumpsites.
Closed – Not Implemented
EPA has been acting on this recommendation since 1982; however, the outcome of EPA efforts are still highly uncertain because a host of other criteria must be developed before monitoring criteria can be addressed. Resolution of the monitoring criteria is at least several years away, or longer. Until then, monitoring this recommendation appears unecessary.
Environmental Protection Agency The Administrator of EPA should terminate the ongoing dumpsite inventory project now being done by EPA staff. This action would recognize the numerous limitations of the information contained in the federal records and avoid more elaborate searches for information which is nonessential to determining the consequences of past ocean dumping activities.
Closed – Implemented
When we confirm what actions the agency has taken in response to this recommendation, we will provide updated information.

Full Report

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Topics

Data collectionEnvironmental monitoringHazardous substancesInternational relationsNuclear energyNuclear waste disposalNuclear waste managementProgram evaluationWater pollution controlRadioactive wastes