Hunters Point: Radioactive Pollution Persists, Trust Erodes

Residents of San Francisco’s Bayview-Hunters Point are again grappling with revelations of radioactive contamination at the former Naval Shipyard, compounded by an alarming 11-month delay in official notification. This discovery of elevated airborne Plutonium-239 levels reignites long-standing concerns about the cleanup process and the transparency of authorities.

Hunters Point: A Legacy of Nuclear Contamination

Post-WWII Research and Lingering Toxins

For over half a century, the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, a 500-acre peninsula jutting into San Francisco Bay, has carried a nuclear legacy. From 1946 to 1969, it served as a military laboratory researching the effects of nuclear weapons and decontaminating irradiated warships. This experimentation left the site heavily contaminated with radioactive materials and toxic chemicals, leading to its designation as a U.S. Superfund site in 1989.

The Delayed Plutonium-239 Alert

In November 2024, a routine air quality test at Parcel C, a 78-acre tract within the shipyard, detected airborne Plutonium-239 at levels exceeding the Navy’s “action level.” Shockingly, the San Francisco Department of Health and local residents were not informed of this significant finding until October 2025—an 11-month delay. This lack of timely communication has sparked outrage and deepened existing mistrust within the community.

Conflicting Views on Current Risk and Trust

What Are the Health Implications?

Plutonium-239 is a radioactive isotope and a byproduct of nuclear explosions, emitting alpha radiation. While external exposure is relatively benign, inhaling these particles can damage lungs and increase the long-term risk of certain cancers. The Navy insists a single elevated reading doesn’t pose an “imminent or substantial threat,” equating a year’s daily exposure to less than one-tenth of a chest X-ray. However, Dr. Ahmisa Porter Sumchai, medical director of the Hunters Point Biomonitoring Foundation, argues that adding Plutonium-239 to the neighborhood’s existing burden of toxic diesel particles creates a “recipe for death,” especially for those living close to the site.

A Pattern of Mistrust

This recent delay is not an isolated incident. In 2000, the EPA admonished Navy officials for failing to inform residents about a fire at a hazardous landfill within Hunters Point. More critically, in 2017, employees of a Navy-hired consulting firm pleaded guilty to falsifying radiation data to reduce cleanup requirements. These past scandals have severely eroded public trust, making the community wary of the Navy’s assurances and competence in safely remediating the Superfund site.

Monitoring, Meetings, and the Path Forward

Navy officials have assured the San Francisco health officer that air and dust monitoring is “ongoing” and that “no immediate action is required from a public health safety standpoint.” However, the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood, already battling high exposure to other industrial pollutants, remains vigilant. The site itself, largely an empty expanse of fenced-off grass and reeds with abandoned buildings, belies the complex dangers beneath its surface. The ongoing cleanup efforts aim to redevelop the area for housing and parkland, but the path is fraught with challenges and public skepticism.

What to Watch Next

Navy officials are scheduled to attend a Hunters Point Shipyard Citizens Advisory Committee Meeting on November 17. This meeting will be crucial for residents seeking answers, accountability, and more transparent protocols moving forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is Plutonium-239?
  Plutonium-239 is a radioactive isotope, a byproduct of nuclear weapon explosions. It emits alpha radiation, which is harmful if inhaled or ingested due to its ability to damage internal tissues and increase cancer risk.
• Was the recent detection dangerous for residents?
  Navy officials and some health experts state that while the level exceeded their “action level,” it did not pose an “imminent or substantial threat” to public health. However, community advocates and medical professionals express concern given the neighborhood’s existing environmental burdens.
• Why was there an 11-month delay in notification?
  The Navy explained that after the initial elevated reading in November 2024, they sent the sample for reanalysis and conducted a methodical review of laboratory procedures. They informed state and federal agencies in September 2025, which then trickled down to the local health department and residents.
• What is the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard’s history with radiation?
  After World War II, the shipyard was a military laboratory studying the effects of nuclear weapons and decontaminating vessels, leading to widespread radioactive and chemical contamination. It was designated a Superfund site in 1989.

As Bay Area residents, it’s essential to stay informed and engaged with the Hunters Point cleanup process, advocating for full transparency and rigorous oversight to ensure the safety and well-being of the affected communities.

Hunters Point Plutonium Contamination Persists