Helena Joyce
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood is a Superfund site, one of the country's most polluted places. The 866-acre area, which operated as a shipyard for the maintenance and repair of warships from 1941 until 1989, is now a jigsaw slab of concrete docking bays and abandoned buildings. The pollution emitted from the shipyard has been linked to adverse health outcomes for residents, including higher-than-normal rates of cancer, asthma, and respiratory diseases. The neighborhood is also bordered by the San Francisco port and surrounded by two major freeways with heavy diesel truck traffic, contributing further to the area's poor air quality. Despite community demands for a cleanup of the site, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been criticized for its response, with advocates arguing that current measures do not go far enough to address the pollution crisis.
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What You'll Learn
- The shipyard is a federally designated Superfund hazardous waste site
- The Navy polluted the soil, sediments, and bay while decontaminating ships
- The Navy exposed people to radiation in technical exercises and medical experiments
- The shipyard is linked to adverse health issues like cancer, asthma, and respiratory diseases
- Rising bay waters could spread buried toxic contamination to surrounding neighbourhoods
The shipyard is a federally designated Superfund hazardous waste site
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighbourhood is a federally designated Superfund hazardous waste site. It is one of the country's most polluted places, with 866 acres of concrete docking bays and abandoned buildings. The shipyard was converted into a site for the maintenance and repair of warships in 1941. During and after the war, the Navy decontaminated thousands of ships, polluting the soil, sediments, and bay in the process.
The shipyard's proximity to the community of Bayview-Hunters Point, where more than 35,000 people live, has raised concerns about the health and environmental impacts of the pollution. Studies have shown higher-than-normal rates of cancer, asthma, and other respiratory diseases among residents. The life expectancy of people raised in the Bayview-Hunters Point neighbourhood is about 14 years less than those from more affluent areas of the city.
In 2000, voters overwhelmingly supported Proposition P, which called for the shipyard to be cleaned up to the highest standards established by the EPA. Despite this, the EPA has been criticised for its response to the situation. In 2022, the agency rejected a request from Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) for revised cleanup efforts, citing Hunters Point's permitted land uses and restrictions instead.
The Navy is currently leading cleanup efforts at the shipyard, with oversight from various agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency. However, residents and advocates continue to demand a full cleanup of the site, expressing concerns about the potential health and environmental risks associated with the pollution. With rising bay waters threatening to uncork chemicals from the shipyard and flood the area, there is a sense of urgency among the community to address the pollution crisis.
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The Navy polluted the soil, sediments, and bay while decontaminating ships
The Hunters Point Shipyard in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighbourhood is a federally designated Superfund hazardous waste site. The shipyard was bought by the Navy in 1941 and converted into a shipyard for the maintenance and repair of warships. Following World War II, the Navy established the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) at Hunters Point to decontaminate ships after atomic bomb tests and other activities.
The process of decontaminating ships involved the use of radioactive chemicals, heavy metals, and petroleum fuels. As a result, the Navy polluted the soil, sediments, and bay in the area. The NRDL operated from 1948 until 1969, ceasing operations after almost thirty years due to the dangerous nature of the work. During its operation, the Navy decontaminated thousands of ships, and the pollution from this process has had a significant impact on the surrounding environment.
The pollution from the shipyard has led to serious health issues for residents of Bayview-Hunters Point. Studies have shown higher-than-normal rates of cancer, asthma, and other respiratory problems in the community. The contamination has also impacted the local economy, delaying plans for new housing development and resulting in unemployment for hundreds of Bayview residents after the shipyard's official closure in 1989.
Community groups and grassroots organizations have been advocating for a thorough cleanup of the shipyard to protect the health and well-being of those living in the area. Despite these efforts, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been criticized for its response to the contamination, with concerns that their plans do not commit to the full cleanup of the site. The Navy, however, insists that there was never an unacceptable risk to residents' health and has been working on remediation efforts.
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The Navy exposed people to radiation in technical exercises and medical experiments
The Hunters Point Shipyard in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighbourhood is a federally designated Superfund hazardous waste site. The site has a long history of pollution and contamination, with studies linking the shipyard to negative health outcomes in the surrounding community.
The Navy's involvement with the shipyard and its role in contributing to the pollution cannot be overlooked. The Navy purchased the Hunters Point dock in 1941 and converted it into a shipyard for the maintenance and repair of warships. This led to the establishment of the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) in response to recurring bomb and defence test failures during and after the war. The NRDL operated from 1946 to 1969, and during this period, it is well-documented that Navy personnel conducted several technical exercises and medical experiments that exposed individuals to harmful radiation.
A review of government and academic records by the San Francisco Public Press revealed that between 1946 and 1963, at least 1,073 servicemen, dockworkers, lab employees, and others were knowingly exposed to radiation through war games, decontamination tests, and medical studies. This is further supported by journalist Lisa Davis's report, which shed light on the enormous quantities of radioactive material the Navy left behind at the shipyard and dumped into the sea. The Navy's own documents indicate that they were aware of the presence of airborne plutonium wafting off contaminated vessels as early as 1947.
One of the more disturbing aspects of these experiments is the lack of informed consent and the potential abuse of power. Eldridge Jones, a former soldier who participated in radiation exposure exercises, shared his experience of being ordered to take part without a choice. Daniel Hirsch, a retired director from the University of California, Santa Cruz, described the participants as "human guinea pigs," highlighting the unethical nature of these experiments.
While the Navy has acknowledged the existence of these experiments, they have declined to address their scientific merit or ethical implications, citing the difficulty of speculating on internal deliberations from decades ago. However, the impact of these experiments cannot be overlooked, with residents of the historically African American neighbourhood long suspecting their health problems are connected to the pollution from the lab.
The Navy's role in exposing people to radiation during technical exercises and medical experiments at the Hunters Point Shipyard is undeniable. The long-term effects on the participants and the surrounding community continue to be a concern, and the Navy's responsibility in addressing these issues is essential for ensuring environmental justice and accountability.
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The shipyard is linked to adverse health issues like cancer, asthma, and respiratory diseases
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard in San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighbourhood has been linked to adverse health issues among residents, including cancer, asthma, and respiratory diseases. Studies have shown that people living near hazardous waste sites, such as the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, are at an increased risk of developing various health problems.
One of the main concerns is the high levels of air pollution in the area. The shipyard is surrounded by major freeways with heavy diesel truck traffic, contributing to the poor air quality. Additionally, the neighbourhood is home to concrete plants, an animal rendering plant, data centres powered by large diesel generators, and a wastewater treatment plant that treats a significant portion of the city's sewage. The combination of these factors has led to a significant impact on the respiratory health of residents.
Studies have found that residents of Bayview-Hunters Point have higher-than-normal rates of cancer. A 2006 survey by the city's public health department revealed an alarming statistic, with 86% of babies born in Bayview developing severe asthma before entering kindergarten. The neighbourhood also experiences the highest rates of asthma hospitalisations in the city. The high incidence of respiratory issues in the area has been attributed, in part, to the proximity of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard and the resulting air pollution.
The shipyard itself has a long history of exposing workers to hazardous materials, particularly asbestos and other toxins. Asbestos exposure has been linked to mesothelioma, lung cancer, and other chronic pulmonary diseases. A 1981 study found that family members of shipyard workers in Los Angeles County also exhibited signs of asbestos-caused lung damage, demonstrating the far-reaching impact of the shipyard's pollution.
In addition to asbestos, radioactive materials used in shipyard operations have been linked to cancer cases among veterans who worked at the Long Beach Naval Shipyard. The Navy has been criticised for not adequately informing those who may have been exposed to these cancer-causing substances. The groundwater at the Long Beach shipyard was found to be contaminated with high levels of toxic chemicals, including dichloroethene, trichloroethylene, vinyl chloride, and benzene, which are known to cause cardiac defects and certain types of cancer.
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Rising bay waters could spread buried toxic contamination to surrounding neighbourhoods
San Francisco's Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood is home to concrete plants, an animal rendering plant, wastewater treatment plants, and dozens of abandoned toxic waste sites. One of them, the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, is a federally designated Superfund hazardous waste site. The shipyard was officially closed in 1989, leaving hundreds of Bayview residents unemployed and with health issues. Leftover debris and contaminants were left at the edge of the water to decay.
The Navy bought the Hunters Point dock in 1941 and converted it into a shipyard for warship maintenance and repair. During and after the war, the Navy decontaminated thousands of ships, polluting the soil, sediments, and bay in the process. The Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory (NRDL) operated until 1969, discontinuing the dangerous process after nearly thirty years.
Bayview residents have been pushing for a shipyard cleanup for decades. In 2000, 86% of voters voted in favor of Proposition P, which called for the shipyard to be cleaned up to the highest standards established by the EPA. Despite this, the EPA has rejected calls for a more thorough cleanup, opting instead to pave over contamination rather than remove it.
Now, climate change and rising sea levels threaten to flood the area, spreading toxic contamination to surrounding neighborhoods. Scientists warn that rising bay waters will push up groundwater, causing toxic chemicals to infiltrate existing infrastructure and spill into homes and businesses. This could have severe health consequences for residents, including an increased risk of cancer and other negative health outcomes.
The threat of rising bay waters and groundwater spreading toxic contamination is not unique to Bayview. Across California, communities of color are five times more likely to live within half a mile of polluted places. Researchers have identified hundreds of sites across the Bay Area that could release and spread toxic chemicals as the groundwater rises. This has led to concerns that parts of the Bay Area may have to be abandoned and returned to the bay waters in a process called "managed retreat."
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Frequently asked questions
The shipyard in Bayview, San Francisco, is a Superfund site, one of the country's most polluted places. The site is contaminated with radiological and chemical waste, including toxic heavy metals and radioactive waste. The pollution is affecting the soil, groundwater, air, surface water, and sediments in the surrounding area.
The Hunters Point Naval Shipyard was built and operated since 1867 and purchased by the Navy in 1941. It was used for the maintenance and repair of warships. The Navy also established the Naval Radiological Defense Laboratory at the shipyard in response to recurring bomb and defense test issues during and after the war. The laboratory operated until 1969, and during its operation, it polluted the soil, sediments, and bay. The shipyard officially closed in 1989, leaving hundreds of Bayview residents unemployed and with health issues.
The pollution from the shipyard has been linked to various health issues in the residents of Bayview, including increased rates of asthma, respiratory diseases, cancers, and thyroid problems. A 2006 survey found that 86% of babies born in Bayview developed severe asthma before starting kindergarten. Studies have also shown higher-than-normal cancer rates among Bayview residents, and the life expectancy in Bayview is about 14 years less than in other parts of the city.
Residents and advocates in Bayview have been fighting for a cleanup of the shipyard for decades. The Navy is leading ongoing cleanup efforts with oversight from various agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the California Environmental Protection Agency. However, there are concerns that the current measures do not go far enough, and community members continue to demand a full cleanup of the site.
Bayview Hunters Point is a predominantly Black and low-income community in San Francisco. Environmental justice advocates argue that the area has been disproportionately impacted by pollution due to systemic racism and a lack of political influence. They call for a comprehensive solution that addresses the pollution and provides reparations to the affected community.
