Radiological comprehensive study of shipyard
Thursday 22 September 2016 10:36:33 AM
Location: United States Naval Shipyard and Nuclear Research Lab at Hunters Point
Category: Toxic Substances
Description:
A demand, for a comprehensive radiological study of soil and fugitive radio active dust from the Hunters Point shipyard. In review of the Mayor Lee and Superviso Coan's letter in a support for cleanup at the shipyard of nuclear waste but with the caveat of expediting the process of cleanup. Is unacceptable. Tetra Tech has been at the shipyard handling of nuclear waste for over 10 years. It took 10 years to create this problem it will take time to find the correct methodology for solving this problem and it will take time execute a proper remedy for cleanup of nuclear waste. We are demanding that the process be in compliance with the philosophy of the Federal EPA Definition for Environmental Justice, of Meaningful Participation of the Public in this process. It is our opinion that it is necessary for the entire facility should be reevaluated four nuclear waste and exposure left on the facilities. This evaluation should include core sampling throughout the facility employing step out method along with the core sampling. Surface Scanning cannot address the possibility of radioactive material beyond 6 inches to 12 inches below the surface. In the allegation made by a former Tetra Tech on KRON TV that radioactive soil was buried in trenches 3 feet under the surface in previous areas that were marked contaminated. Therefore the only way to ensure the public for health and safety purposes the entire facility should be scanned using this appropriate methodology. Outside neutral entities should conduct radiological studies not affiliated with Tetra Tech. Given the lackadaisical oversight of the regulatory agencies in seeing that appropriate standards and methodology the conducted an additional oversight should be established by a neutral University to ensure the safety of the public. Once the appropriate methodology for evaluating radiological soil samples and radiological fugitive dusts exposure into surrounding communities. We are asking that the California State Public Health Department, investigate the possibility of harm and exposure to the general public to low-level accumulative effect to radiological exposure. Given the past history of the San Francisco Department of Public Health Department, Environment Department in 2000 was unable to conduct an objective evaluation of emergency room admissions after the to August 2000 fire on Superfund site parcel E for possible admissions to the ER room base to chemical exposure and possible harm to the general public. The variables that I requested the study include or change by the director of the Environmental Health Division. The study that was produced only looked at pulmonary complaints. Which was in contradiction of the testimony provided by residents at a town hall meeting at the Kiska gymnasium, where residents complain of abdominal pain by both children and adults. Additional eyewitness reports at this town hall meeting described three distinct clouds colors be being admitted from the fire. This would possibly be concluded that one of the clouds were acidic and would cause abdominal pains eating through the mucous within the stomach lining. By limiting the scope of the study to only pulmonary reduced a whole classification of emergency room admissions therefore reducing the number of visits to the emergency room in this study. Given a false impact and severity of the Possible chemical exposures to the fire in 2000. Even though the director of the Environmental Health Division is no longer with the San Francisco Public Health Department. We are requesting an objective third party intervene in the evaluation. We would also like to point out at this time that the Navy was fined $25,000 which was the maximum for failure to report this hazardous discharge to the San Francisco Public Health Department. The Navy did not report the situation and the severity until 16 days after the surface fire was put out. The Navy did not start conducting air samples from the fire until 22 to 27 days after the surface fire was put out. The fire continued to burn underground for 105 days. Elevated Chemicals were being released from the landfill to notice a Superfund site parcel E during these initial tests of 22 to 27 days. The director of the naval facility Richard Mauch was dismissed at this time, but was later rehired and now serves the United States Navy as the assistant to the Undersecretary of the Environment for the U.S. Navy. Also, the Remediation Advisory Board for the Navy should be reestablished at once. For ensuring meaningful public participation in this process. The current public relations campaign the Navy is providing is grossly insulting to the public is talking down to the public with very little participation as though you were talking to a three-year-old child," we know what's best for you people". The United States Navy needs to work with the community not how can I get around the community. Thank you
Comments
Author: Jackie Lane
Email: lane.jackie@epa.gov
Description:
This compliant has been forwarded by Jackie Lane,EPA to Derek Robinson, U.S. Navy for action today September 23, 2016 at 2:18pm.
Author: Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice
Email: bradley@greenaction.org
Description:
October 19, 2016 Alexis Strauss Acting Regional Administrator United States Environmental Protection Agency, Region IX 75 Hawthorne Street San Francisco, CA Dear Regional Administrator Strauss, RE: Tetra Tech and the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard We are writing to request vital information needed by residents of Bayview Hunters Point and the public that the Navy has failed to provide regarding the work done by federal contractor Tetra Tech at the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard. We are writing this request to USEPA as your agency is the lead federal agency for this project, and as the Navy has failed to provide adequate responses if any at all – in violation of their environmental justice responsibilities. 1. What is the time period Tetra Tech has worked at the Hunters Point Shipyard? 2. How many soil samples has Tetra Tech taken during the entire period they've worked at the shipyard? 3. How many of the thousands of soil samples taken by Tetra Tech during their decades of work at the Shipyard were reviewed for quality control and by whom? What methods were used for quality control and is that in a written plan, and if so, please provide us a copy or link. 4. What is the status, scope and timeline of the USEPA investigation of the extent of Tetra Tech’s falsification of soil samples that led to the September 13, 2016 letter from USEPA and DTSC to the Navy? 5. Specifically, which parcels of the Shipyard are subject to 5 year review, and please provide the status and calendar of the 5 year reviews for each parcel. 6. What was the extent (if any) of contamination removed based on the falsified samples and where was that soil disposed of? Please provide the answers to these questions as soon as possible, ideally within the week. If some information would take longer than a week to answer, please provide prompt written answers to the other questions. Thank you, For environmental justice, Bradley Angel Executive Director, Greenaction for Health and Environmental Justice
Author: Jackie Lane
Email: lane.jackie@epa.gov
Description:
Dear Bradley:US EPA is in receipt of your letter mentioned above and will respond shortly. Jackie Lane