US Navy accused of cover-up over dangerous plutonium in San Francisco
13 days ago
- #environmental contamination
- #public health
- #nuclear waste
- US Navy detected dangerous airborne plutonium levels in San Francisco's Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in November last year but delayed informing city officials for almost a year.
- The contaminated site, adjacent to a residential neighborhood and public park, was used for nuclear weapons testing and is now slated for redevelopment with up to 10,000 housing units.
- Public health advocates accuse the Navy of avoiding a costly cleanup, with litigation ongoing over failures in addressing radioactive contamination.
- Plutonium-239, a highly lethal substance, is present at the site, with air exposure posing severe health risks, including cancer.
- The Navy and EPA face criticism for lack of transparency and failure to meet cleanup standards, with skepticism over recent test results.
- Historical mishandling of radioactive waste, including improper cleanup methods in the 1950s, has left a legacy of contamination and health risks for current residents.
- Residents and advocates demand accountability and thorough remediation, opposing proposed solutions like capping the site with clean dirt as insufficient.