Failure to come clean
In 2008, a law that set standards for cleanup of the site was passed. But the law was overturned in 2014 after a legal challenge by Boeing.
That left in place a 2007 order of consent between Boeing, NASA, the U.S. Department of Energy, and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) that required cleanup of SSFL to a much less stringent standard.
As of last year, Boeing and DTSC had begun confidential, nonbinding agreements regarding the 2007 order of consent, according to Parents Against SSFL.
Among the contaminants lingering at the site are radioactive particles, chemical compounds, heavy metals, and polluted water.
“In fact, over 300 contaminants of concern have been found at the site, and they are refusing to clean it,” Mr. Hirsch said. “This company releases large amounts of carcinogens, and perhaps significant numbers of people get sick with cancer, and the company doesn’t go to prison. They get more federal contracts.”
A version of this article first appeared on WebMD.com.
April 20, 2022 – Editor’s note: This article has been updated to include an interview with Dr. Thomas Mack, former director of the Los Angeles County Cancer Surveillance Program, who contends that there is insufficient evidence to support a direct link between the 1959 reactor accident and recent incident cancers.