Hunters Point Shipyard Cleanup Used Outdated and Grossly Non-Protective Cleanup Standards (Report 3)

Published October 27, 2018

October 2018

Summary:

In this report, CBG details the outdated standards and the public health risks associated with the cleanup of the Hunters Point Shipyard (HPS). Cleanup efforts by the U.S. Navy have come under scrutiny for using outdated and unsafe radioactive contamination standards. Below are the critical points in the report that highlight the deficiencies in the cleanup process and their impact on public health:

1. Outdated Cleanup Standards at Hunters Point Shipyard

The U.S. Navy relied on cleanup standards from 1974 and 1991 instead of modern EPA Preliminary Remediation Goals (PRGs) and Building PRG Calculators. For example:

Plutonium-239: Navy standards allow levels 421 times higher than current EPA PRGs.
Thorium-232 and Radium-226: Cleanup levels are nearly 900 times less protective than EPA standards.

2. Falsified Data in Radioactive Cleanup

The Navy’s contractor, Tetra Tech, falsified data for 90–97% of survey units. This raises serious concerns about the credibility of cleanup claims and poses a significant risk to public safety.

3. Cancer and Radiation Exposure Risks

Residents and workers in the Hunters Point area face heightened health risks due to weak cleanup standards:

Cancer risks are far above EPA’s acceptable limits, with Plutonium-239 presenting a 421-fold higher risk.
Radiation exposure from contamination is equivalent to dozens of unneeded chest X-rays annually.

4. Radium-226 Exception: A Key Concern

Despite being identified as the primary contaminant at Hunters Point, radium-226 levels permitted by the Navy are 900 times higher than EPA’s protective limits. This decision lacks transparency and justification.

5. Unsafe Standards for Building Cleanup

The Navy uses outdated 1974 guidelines for building contamination, allowing levels thousands of times weaker than EPA Building PRGs. Combined risks from external radiation and radioactive dust in buildings could result in 1 in 37 people developing cancer.

6. Non-Compliance with EPA Directives

The Navy has repeatedly ignored EPA instructions to update its cleanup standards using modern PRG calculators. Draft retesting plans and reviews continue to rely on outdated criteria, putting public health at risk.

7. Impact on Bayview-Hunters Point Community

The failure to adopt protective cleanup standards affects residents in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, where the presence of contaminated soil and dust increases exposure risks. Community gardens and local agriculture are particularly vulnerable to radioactive contamination.

8. Transparency and Accountability

The report highlights attempts by the Navy to weaken standards further by modifying inputs in EPA PRG calculators. The lack of transparency and accountability undermines trust in the cleanup process.

The Urgent Need for Action at Hunters Point Shipyard

The Hunters Point Shipyard cleanup must prioritize public health by adopting current EPA standards for soil and building contamination. Transparent and accountable remediation efforts are essential to mitigate cancer risks and protect the Bayview-Hunters Point community from ongoing exposure to harmful radioactive materials.

For updates on the Hunters Point Shipyard cleanup process and community safety, visit Committee to Bridge the Gap.