Study Says Lab Meltdown Caused Cancer - Los Angeles Times: "Study Says Lab Meltdown Caused Cancer
Scientists say details about the 1959 accident near Simi Valley continue to be withheld. Other contamination at the site is much clearer.
By Amanda Covarrubias, Times Staff Writer
October 6, 2006
Placitella comment: the study reported below could have wide-ranging ramifications for other cases.
Radioactive emissions from a 1959 nuclear accident at a research lab near Simi Valley appear to have been much greater than previously suspected and could have resulted in hundreds of cancers in surrounding communities, according to a study released Thursday.
Chemical contamination from rocket engine testing at the site continues to threaten soil and groundwater in the area around Rocketdyne's Santa Susana Field Laboratory, the study also found.
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The nuclear meltdown, which remained virtually unknown to the public until 1979, could have caused between 260 and 1,800 cases of cancer 'over a period of many decades,' the study concluded.
But the advisory panel that oversaw the five-year study, conducted by an independent team of scientists and health experts, said it could not offer more specifics about potential exposure to carcinogens because the Department of Energy and Rocketdyne's owner, Boeing Co., did not provide key information.
'This lack of candor � makes characterization of the potential health impacts of past accidents and releases extremely difficult,' the panel concluded.
Boeing officials vigorously disputed the findings, saying the study was based on miscalculations and faulty information.
'We disagree entirely with the report's conclusion,' said Phil Rutherford, a health, safety and radiation manager for the company. He cited a Boeing-commissioned study released last year that found overa"
Scientists say details about the 1959 accident near Simi Valley continue to be withheld. Other contamination at the site is much clearer.
By Amanda Covarrubias, Times Staff Writer
October 6, 2006
Placitella comment: the study reported below could have wide-ranging ramifications for other cases.
Radioactive emissions from a 1959 nuclear accident at a research lab near Simi Valley appear to have been much greater than previously suspected and could have resulted in hundreds of cancers in surrounding communities, according to a study released Thursday.
Chemical contamination from rocket engine testing at the site continues to threaten soil and groundwater in the area around Rocketdyne's Santa Susana Field Laboratory, the study also found.
ADVERTISEMENT
The nuclear meltdown, which remained virtually unknown to the public until 1979, could have caused between 260 and 1,800 cases of cancer 'over a period of many decades,' the study concluded.
But the advisory panel that oversaw the five-year study, conducted by an independent team of scientists and health experts, said it could not offer more specifics about potential exposure to carcinogens because the Department of Energy and Rocketdyne's owner, Boeing Co., did not provide key information.
'This lack of candor � makes characterization of the potential health impacts of past accidents and releases extremely difficult,' the panel concluded.
Boeing officials vigorously disputed the findings, saying the study was based on miscalculations and faulty information.
'We disagree entirely with the report's conclusion,' said Phil Rutherford, a health, safety and radiation manager for the company. He cited a Boeing-commissioned study released last year that found overa"
posted by Chris Placitella | 6:32 AM
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