Reports have recently emerged, shedding light on the dumping of tens of thousands of barrels of radioactive waste off the coast of Southern California. This reckless act has resulted in significant harm to marine life and poses a potential threat to human health. Surprisingly, both state and federal officials have shown a lack of urgency in addressing this critical situation. Despite the establishment of an EPA task force in 2021 to investigate the matter, not a single report has been completed. In response, state Republicans are urging Governor Gavin Newsom to take immediate action to halt the ongoing damage caused by this catastrophic dumping that occurred decades ago.
In 2020, the Los Angeles Times shed light on the issue of deep-sea dumping that took place until 1982. This involved the disposal of around half a million barrels of highly toxic DDT, a banned pesticide known to cause reproductive and liver harm. As a response, the EPA initiated an investigation in 2021 to delve into the operational and regulatory history of this dumping practice. Although the initial report is still incomplete after two years, it is expected to be followed by a second report on the extent of contamination and waste drum disposal sites. Subsequently, a third report will focus on environmental conditions and trends. If the dumping sites are deemed to pose a threat to human health or the environment, a fourth report will be conducted to explore potential options for addressing the risk through technology screening.
The EPA’s research on mitigation for the dumping, which is the fourth step outlined in their process, is unlikely to begin anytime soon as the first report is still pending completion.
New reports have revealed that the extent of the dumping is far worse than anticipated. Shockingly, it has been discovered that approximately 56,000 barrels’ worth of radioactive waste were dumped, indicating that the damage caused by this site might be even more severe than initially thought. Although some efforts have been made to address the contamination in the area directly offshore from Palos Verdes, where the DDT manufacturer facility operated, through a federal Superfund initiative targeting the disposal of toxic waste via sewage pipes into the nearby coast, the issue of offshore dumping has garnered media coverage without any corresponding government intervention.
State Republicans in California are questioning why Governor Gavin Newsom is not prioritizing clear and tangible environmental issues, despite the state’s efforts to invest in clean energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It is interesting to note that carbon dioxide, unlike DDT or wildfire ash, is not classified as a carcinogen.
State Senator Brian Dahle expressed his concerns about the offshore dumping and urged Sacramento legislators to take it seriously. According to Dahle, if they genuinely care about the environment, they should address the root causes instead of selectively focusing on “clean energy” initiatives. He has been advocating for improved forest management for years, but it seems that the preference is to let the forests burn. Dahle finds this hypocrisy unbelievable.
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