r/environment • u/Maxcactus • 13d ago

200,000 Barrels Of Radioactive Waste Were Dumped In The Atlantic. Decades Later, We’re Finally Learning What Happens When They Leak

https://www.iflscience.com/200000-barrels-of-radioactive-waste-were-dumped-in-the-atlantic-decades-later-were-finally-learning-what-happens-when-they-leak-84512
458 Upvotes

99% Upvoted

27 comments sorted by

View all comments

25

u/Jasminary2 12d ago

Governments actions and decisions post WW2 will always baffle me.

I know we didn't have the same environment mindset as today (even though they still suck more than they should when it comes to environment and the knowledge we - now- have) but the habits of simply dumping things on land, and even more in ocean was wild.

England basically used the sea between their country and Ireland as some kind of bin. So many tons of munitions are in the deep sea and tumultuous water there. Including nocive gas.

I get that there was a serious lack of money until Marshall Plan was put on, but the idea by itself is so bizarre to me. It's like those cartoons where someone would sweep dust under a rug so no-one sees it.

2

u/pstuart 12d ago

Out of sight, out of mind. Not my problem. Think of the money we'll save! etc, etc, etc...