A serious warning has been issued in San Francisco, California, after officials revealed that dangerous levels of radiation were found near a children’s playground — almost a year after the U.S. Navy allegedly discovered it.
The radioactive material detected was plutonium-239, a substance mainly used in nuclear weapons and known to be extremely hazardous. It was found at the former Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, a site that once served as a radiological defense lab. Residents were only recently informed about the contamination, sparking anger and fear in the community. Many are accusing the Navy of hiding the discovery for 11 months before making it public.
Plutonium-239 is especially dangerous when inhaled. Its microscopic particles can stay deep inside the lungs or spread to other organs like the liver and bones. Once there, they release harmful radiation for decades, damaging DNA and increasing the risk of cancer — particularly lung cancer. It’s also chemically toxic, similar to breathing in radioactive lead.
Reports say the Navy only told the San Francisco Department of Public Health about the discovery last month, even though the radiation was detected in November of last year. The contamination was found in Parcel C, an area near a hillside lined with residential condos and next to a public park where children often play.
Local residents and city leaders have strongly condemned the delay, calling it “unacceptable.” Dr. Susan Philip, San Francisco’s health officer, has officially demanded that the Navy hand over all related records, including data from the past year’s air quality monitoring. In a public statement, she reassured residents that city health officials “share their deep concerns” and are demanding “full transparency and immediate communication” from federal agencies to protect the public’s safety.
Hunters Point has a long and troubling history with toxic contamination. Once used by the Navy between 1948 and 1960 to clean ships exposed to nuclear bomb tests, the area was left polluted with radioactive materials, heavy metals, and fuel waste. It was declared one of the most contaminated “Superfund” cleanup sites in the U.S. back in 1989.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) confirmed that plutonium was found in one of two air samples taken at the site. The agency is now reviewing all the data to confirm the results and assess the potential risk to the public.
Residents say they deserve answers — and immediate action — after learning that dangerous radioactive material may have been circulating near their homes and playgrounds for nearly a year without their knowledge.
