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OCII highlights Navy plutonium‑239 air sample exceedance; regulators, Navy to brief community
Summary
OCII staff reported a November 2024 Navy cleanup air sample at Hunters Point that detected plutonium‑239 above an action level; regulators said no public health risk was found, but delays in disclosure eroded trust and Supervisor Walton scheduled a Dec. 15 hearing at City Hall.
OCII Executive Director Thor Kozlowski on Nov. 18 briefed the commission on recent Navy cleanup activity at Hunters Point Shipyard, including a November 2024 air sample that detected plutonium‑239 at levels above a regulatory action level.
Kozlowski said the Navy and environmental regulators — including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Regional Water Quality Control Board — have investigated the exceedance. According to Kozlowski, the Navy and regulators reported the exceedance did not constitute a public health risk but described delays in public disclosure that damaged community trust.
Kozlowski said the Navy conducted a months‑long validation process that included third‑party laboratory analysis and returned results to regulators and the city, including the Department of Public Health, in October 2025. The Navy has committed to improving transparency, posting more documents to public websites and strengthening community engagement and oversight.
Supervisor Walton has called for a public hearing on Dec. 15 at 10 a.m. at City Hall to review the matter, and Kozlowski said he will keep the commission updated as the investigation and regulatory oversight proceed. Chair Scott emphasized that OCII will not accept property for redevelopment unless regulators sign off that cleanup has been completed and sites are safe.
The commission received the report and asked that staff continue to monitor agency work and public communications regarding the Hunter Point cleanup.
