Ocean Dumping Act

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The Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act or Ocean Dumping Act was one of several key environmental laws passed by the US Congress in 1972. It brought under EPA regulation and license the dumping of sewage sludge, industrial waste, biological agents, medical waste, NBC, and radioactive waste, into the territorial waters of the United States.

Contents 1 Later amendments 2 Background 3 See also 4 References

[edit] Later amendments

Ocean Dumping Ban Act was contemporary to the Syringe Tide, whereby medical waste (vials of blood, syringes) washed up on the shores of New Jersey and Long Island during the summer of 1988. It pressured the passage in 1988 of the Medical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA).

[edit] Background

For much of history, the ocean was used generally as a dumping ground for many types of waste such as Garbage, Acid Rain, and Toxins. One area off the coast of New Jersey was used beginning in the 19th century as a dumping ground for sewage. This area is now known as the 12-mile dumping ground, and has a large amount of toxic metals. Divers are still advised to avoid the area due to the high level of refuse materials and toxins. ^[1]

[edit] See also

• Marine debris
• London Convention
• MARPOL 73/78
• OSPAR Convention
• Water Framework Directive
• Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act

[edit] References

• EPA Journal, July/August 1975
• EPA press release and fact sheet, 1988

1. ^ Offshore Dumping Grounds, at NJ scuba diving website, accessed 11/11/07.