City, state officials say scans show no radiological readings above background; residents press for independent studies and screenings

San Francisco health officials told a special Rules Committee hearing that recent surface surveys by the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) found no radiological readings above naturally occurring background levels in the areas CDPH scanned, but residents pressed elected leaders for independent studies, on-island health screening and more neighborhood testing.

"The California Department of Public Health conducted radiological surface surveys of both publicly accessible and private residential areas on Treasure Island and found no radiological concerns or elevated readings above naturally occurring background radiation levels," said Amy Brownell, an environmental engineer with the San Francisco Health Department. Brownell said the Health Department sent residents an Oct. 5 letter with the CDPH reports.

Why cleanup can continue even when readings are near background was a central point of the hearing. Brownell told the committee that federal cleanup rules require the Navy to remove any levels detected above background to ensure future redevelopment and avoid leaving detectable…