Prior to the 1990s, the United States engaged in significant ocean dumping, releasing numerous hazardous materials into the sea. The practice involved the disposal of hundreds of thousands of drums at nearly fifty different ocean sites, showcasing a troubling disregard for marine environments. A staggering number of these drums were dumped in the Farallon Islands area, with around fifty thousand containers affecting this specific location alone.

Bill Bryson, in his book "A Short History of Nearly Everything," highlights the environmental consequences of such actions. This extensive waste dumping contributed to long-term ecological damage and raised awareness about the need for better waste management practices and the protection of marine ecosystems. The cessation of dumping in the 1990s marked a significant shift towards more environmentally conscious policies regarding ocean health.