The dumping of hazardous waste stemming from military activities in the worldös oceans potentially constitutes a major environmental risk. Although the issues of dumped radionuclide waste have received much attention in the last five years, the chemical weapons  dumped at sea have been largely ignored.

In 1995, the CFE (Conversion for the Environment Foundation)  sponsored by NATO's Scientific and Environmental Affairs Division, held the first conference on sea-dumped chemical munitions. The documents presented at this conference, to be published in 1996, revealed that these chemical agents posed major health hazards to millions of people. The CFE remains committed to addressing this problem. In light of further information presented at the second conference on sea-dumped chemical munitions, held at Bellagio, Italy, an supported by the Rockefeller Foundation, the following action program has been adopted:

1. An international working group concerned with sea-dumped chemical munitions should be established to channel the information on the issue and future efforts to address the problem;

2. Public awareness should be raised about the known and suspected locations, magnitudes and status of dumpsites in the seas;

3. In collaboration with international bodies and institutions, a comprehensive risk assessment program should be carried out. For this purpose, new data must be collected and compiled with existing data revelant to source terms, transport pathways into and out of the oceans and the effect of these harmful materials on human health;

4. Depending on the outcome of this risk assessment, adequate measures should be taken to control and remediate the problem. To this end constant monitoring of the most serious dump sites should be undertaken and where necessary harmful agents should be neutralized by safe and efficient methods, using both civilian and military technology;

5. Funds necessary to carry out these programs should originate from the governments of the countries concerned, international organizations and private donors.