Hunters Point Shipyard has a legacy of ground contamination by particulate radiation. While the politicians are arguing who is responsible for the cleanup, wether the previous cleanup was done correctly or not, and what should be done about it, epidemiologists have a role to play to provide the local community and the larger Bay Area community with solid data to develop evidence-based solutions. UCSF and UC Berkeley are already working together to analyze the quality of procedures which were used to test for radiation contamination. The next step would be for epidemiologists and biostatisticisns to put their heads together to quickly analyze the data on population health in Hunters Point which coul be easily accessed. For example, among those who have lived at Hunters Point for at least five years, is there any evidence of increased risks of lung cancer or bone cancer (cancers we would expect to increase with this particular type of radiation)? Or, has there been any increase in respiratory problems in children?

The 1990 NCI report of populations living near nuclear facilities concluded that cancer mortality rates were the same whether a reactor was nearby or not. While this was a negative finding, it proved to be extremely effective in discussions with local communities. As the institution literally next-door to this community, we should provide residents of Hunters Point with the evidence on potential risks to their health.