Livermore Lab and plutonium sampling

[marylia <marylia@igc.org>]

Hi folks. If you are interested in plutonium sampling issues or in the
plutonium contamination around Livermore, read on...

Fox to Guard Chicken Coop, Again?
from Tri-Valley CAREs' May 1998 newsletter, Citizen's Watch
by Stephanie Ericson

The Livermore Lab says it merely wanted to jump-start additional plutonium
sampling in the Livermore community. But community representatives say that
the Lab is trying to jump ahead to control what sampling should be done and
how.

Stephanie Ericson is Tri-Valley CAREs' representative to an advisory panel,
called a "Site Team," to public health agencies currently investigating the
health impacts of the Livermore Lab on the community. There is concern that
the Lab has inappropriately excluded the Site Team's community members,
stakeholders, and the CA Dept. of Health Services (CDHS) from participating
in the development of the plan.

A public meeting was held in Livermore just over two months ago to discuss
a draft report by public health agencies on plutonium-contaminated soil in
Big Trees Park along with other plutonium pollution problems in the 
community.

The CDHS and the federal Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry
(ATSDR) recommended additional sampling as well as an investigation into
the distribution of plutonium-contaminated sludge to the residents as a
soil amendment in the late 1960s and early 1970s. At that meeting,
attendees from the public made clear their support for follow-up.

The Lab then quickly put together its own sampling plan. So, while the
community representatives on the Site Team strongly agree with the health
report's recommendations for follow-up, they, and others, object to the
polluter taking the lead role in deciding where and how to sample. For
public health activities to be credible to the community, they cannot be
directed by the Lab because it is the self-acknowledged institution
responsible for the contamination.

The Lab says its proposed sampling plan, announced April 14, was merely to
get the ball rolling to respond to concerns raised by many of the ninety
or so people attending the February public meeting. But the Lab originally
announced that public comment on the plan, which has not been widely
circulated, would close on May 9, before the next public meeting of the
Site Team on May 13. Due to the efforts of Tri-Valley CAREs and others,
the public comment deadline has since been extended to May 29. (See enclosed
fact sheet for more info.)

Send comments to:
Paul Charp, E-56
ATSDR
1600 Clifton Rd., NE
Atlanta, GA 30333

Marylia Kelley
Tri-Valley CAREs (Citizens Against a Radioactive Environment)
Peace - Justice - Environment since 1983
5720 East Ave. #116, Livermore, CA USA 94550
(510) 443-7148 - phone
(510) 443-0177 - fax