The Harm
Decades of fires, leaks, spills, explosions, and improper waste management have left the SSFL’s soil and groundwater dangerously contaminated. The site is still impacting the environment, water sources, wildlife, and people living nearby.
Contamiantion
Over 350 “Contaminants of Concern” have been documented in the SSFL soil and water and include long-lasting and endocrine disrupting chemicals, toxic heavy metals, and cancer-causing radionuclides.
human health
A federally funded study determined a 60% higher cancer incidence rate for adults living within 2 miles of the SSFL compared to 5 miles — showing a direct correlation between cancer rates and distance from the site. Over 100 children in the areas surrounding the SSFL have been diagnosed with rare pediatric cancer.
water
The SSFL is home to dozens of protected species who are at risk of harm from the site’s contamination that is known to toxic to plants and animals.
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wildlife & ecology
The SSFL is home to dozens of protected species who are at risk of harm from the site’s contamination that is known to toxic to plants and animals.
Learn more:
Cultural & Indigenous Impacts
The 12-acre Burro Flats Painted Cave area at the SSFL is sacred to the local Indigenous people including the Gabrieleno Tongva, Chumash, and the Fernandeño Tataviam tribes and was used for cultural and spiritual practices for thousands of years.
Learn more:
burro flats painted cave
Environmental Justice Impacts