- Ocean Dumping Act
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 ofsewage sludge,industrial waste ,biological agents ,medical waste , NBC, andradioactive waste , into theterritorial waters of theUnited States .Later amendments
Ocean Dumping Ban Act was contemporary to the
Syringe Tide , whereby medical waste (vials of blood, syringes) washed up on the shores ofNew Jersey andLong Island during the summer of1988 . It pressured the passage in1988 of theMedical Waste Tracking Act (MWTA).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. [ [http://njscuba.net/biology/misc_bottom.html#dumps Offshore Dumping Grounds] , at NJ scuba diving website, accessed 11/11/07. ]
ee also
*
Marine debris
*MARPOL 73/78
*OSPAR Convention
*Water Framework Directive
*Marine Protection, Research, and Sanctuaries Act
*Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter References
* [http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/mprsa/01.htm EPA Journal, July/August 1975]
* [http://www.epa.gov/history/topics/mprsa/02.htm EPA press release and fact sheet, 1988]
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