[CPEO-MEF] HEALTH, RADIATION: El Toro Marine Corps Air Station (CA) radium

[Lenny Siegel <lsiegel@cpeo.org>]

El Toro Marines Exposed to Radiation

Robert O'Dowd
Salem News (OR)
August 6, 2009

Marines who worked in a radiation contaminated portion of a hangar at 
former Marine Corps Air Station El Toro were exposed to Radium 226. No 
action was taken to notify any Marine veteran who worked in the hangar.

(IRVINE, Calif.) - Marines were exposed to radiation in a huge 
maintenance hangar at former Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) El Toro, 
California. The number of Marines who worked in the portion of the 
hangar contaminated with Radium 226 (Ra 226) is unknown. The hangar was 
constructed in 1944 and continued to support operations until the base 
closed in 1999.

Radiation contaminant from a Ra 226 paint room was found during a 
radiological survey of the hangar by a Navy contractor. Even a low 
dosage of Ra 226 can cause cancer after several years delay. The Navy 
has not responded to requests to assess the risk of occupational 
exposure to Ra 226.

A Navy report from July 2002 indicated that areas of the upper and lower 
north mezzanine in the Hangar 296 were classified as having or had the 
potential for radioactive contamination based on site history or known 
contamination above established release limits. Remediation action was 
taken by the Navy.

...

For the entire article, see
http://salem-news.com/articles/august062009/el_toro_radiation_8-6-09.php

--


Lenny Siegel
Executive Director, Center for Public Environmental Oversight
a project of the Pacific Studies Center
278-A Hope St., Mountain View, CA 94041
Voice: 650/961-8918 or 650/969-1545
Fax: 650/961-8918
<lsiegel@cpeo.org>
http://www.cpeo.org



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