Health Data Near Field Lab Questioned

Federal health officials may be confident that Rocketdyne pollution didn’t harm the surrounding community, but Simi Valley residents aren’t buying it.

In a boisterous and sometimes confrontational public meeting Thursday night attended by about 75 residents, many found fault with preliminary findings from a report by the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry.

The agency, invited by lawmakers to assess contaminant threats in the area, concluded there is no evidence to support claims that decades of rocket testing at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory harmed the health of the lab’s neighbors.

“This is just a big dog-and-pony show. I don’t believe any of it,” said Jim Garner, who grew up in Simi Valley.

The agency, however, recommends more studies to assess toxic air releases, to study seeps and springs in Simi Valley and Santa Susana Knolls, and to collect better measurements of radiation at a portion of the lab. It has also suggested a reanalysis of previous studies that showed suspiciously high rates of cancer for people living near the lab.

“They’re saying there’s no health danger, but they’re saying we need to do more studies. It’s kind of contradictory,” said Ron Pichler of West Hills. “I’m a little skeptical.”

The 80-page final report will be released to the public Dec. 9, the same day a second community meeting is scheduled at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Clarion Hotel, 1775 Madera Road, Simi Valley.