Statement on findings of high Strontium-90 levels at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Superfund site

Strontium-90-graphic, Statement on findings of high Strontium-90 levels at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Superfund site, Local News & Views
Strontium-90 is a dangerous radioactive isotope – and high levels of the chemical have been detected right in our backyards here in Bayview Hunters Point. Strontium is produced by nuclear fission like the atomic experiments conducted and brought to the Shipyard during the Navy’s tenure 1945-1974. Because of the isotope’s calcium-like properties, it is easily absorbed by our bones, – especially calcium-deprived bones. In Black neighborhoods, where health apartheid is a reality, what kinds of bones do we have? Exposure to Strontium leads to cancer rates like the ones we know and see with our own eyes in Bayview Hunters Point. Now, the City and developers Lennar and Five Points are saying the presence of Strontium does not indicate risk to health – who’s bones are they basing this data on? Where is their data? – Photo: Nucelar News

by Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice

Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice is not surprised that high levels of dangerous radioactive waste – namely, the radioactive isotope Strontium-90 – remain at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Superfund site above proposed remedial, aka cleanup, levels. 

While city officials claim that they will not accept parcels until they are properly cleaned, the fact remains that the plan supported by the city and the Navy was to never fully clean the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard Superfund site. With the blessings of San Francisco elected officials, the Navy and City of San Francisco plan to leave high levels of radioactive and toxic waste at the shipyard forever.

According to a statement released by Navy today, the Navy has found that approximately 10 percent of samples taken indicate Strontium-90 levels above the remediation goal. Both the Navy and the San Francisco Department of Public Health claim that current levels of Strontium-90 detected to date do not indicate a risk to human health or the environment. 

With the blessings of San Francisco elected officials, the Navy and City of San Francisco plan to leave high levels of radioactive and toxic waste at the shipyard forever.

Greenaction and our community members condemn the San Francisco Department of Public Health and Navy’s false claims that these high levels of Strontium-90 do not pose a public health threat. The very reason that the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was placed on the Superfund National Priorities List is exactly because it poses a threat to public health and the environment. That is a fact. 

City of San Francisco officials have a long and well-documented history of supporting the Lennar and Five Points luxury development projects. It is time for elected officials and government agencies to start protecting public health instead of the profits of corporate luxury developers. 

Greenaction is a Bayview-based community organization that mobilizes people to win victories that change government and corporate policies and practices to protect health and to promote environmental, social, economic and climate justice. Contact them at 415-722-5270.