Statement:  NSTI is safe for residents, employees and visitors. Multiple regulatory agencies have concluded that even as cleanup requirements at NSTI evolved, there was no risk to human health and safety in residential areas from subsurface objects discovered through the environmental cleanup program. These findings were also confirmed with independent evaluations by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). While there are certain areas of NSTI that are still undergoing investigation and cleanup, those areas have physical barriers in place to prevent public access. If radiological objects are discovered, they are removed and properly disposed. The Navy’s protocols and the data are reviewed by state regulators, including the CDPH, State Water Board, and the California Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC). Their overarching role in monitoring the Navy’s work is to ensure the safety of human health and the restoration of the environment. The Navy values the health and safety of the community and will continue to transparently provide information on the remaining cleanup by sharing important updates through the Restoration Advisory Board (RAB), quarterly meetings, BRAC website, newsletters and public notices.

Early in the Navy’s environmental cleanup program, the solid waste disposal areas (SWDAs) that required further evaluation were identified by historical research and site investigation activities. 

Starting in 2007, the Navy began recovering radioactive objects from the SWDAs. Some of the objects included foils, which had the highest level of radiation of recovered items from the SWDAs. It is important to note that these foils are unique from the rest of the objects recovered, which are generally referred to as low level radiological objects.

During the removal action work that started in 2007, a discrete, low-level radiological item was found outside of the SWDA. Upon further investigation, the Navy determined that it was necessary to update its conceptual site model and Historical Radiological Assessment (HRA) to reflect the possibility that earth work operations prior to construction of the housing may have resulted in distribution of material from the SWDA outside of its historical boundaries. 

After making this determination, the Navy initiated significant public communication efforts to provide residents and stakeholders with updates on the site evaluation and remediation programs. Additionally, Navy and regulatory experts reviewed the potential health impacts of subsurface low-level radiological items.

The Navy also performed radiological scans of all occupied housing units. Findings were published in a 2015 report which was reviewed and accepted by the state regulatory agencies. No health hazards were identified.

The (entirety) of the Site 12 occupied housing area has been scanned; fewer than 20 discrete low-level radiological items were found underground, removed, and properly disposed. 

Since establishment of the RAB in 1994, numerous meetings have been held to present the progress of the environmental restoration program, including the characterization and cleanup of the SWDAs.

The Navy follows a deliberate, iterative environmental cleanup process as outlined by federal and state law. This means that decisions are updated over time, as new data or information is collected.

The state regulatory agencies, including the DTSC and CDPH, review all work plans, scan results, site information and clean up data and have not identified any unacceptable risk to those who live and work at NSTI, particularly within Site 12.