Rocketdyne Panel to Hold Meeting

The independent panel of health and radiation experts that oversaw a UCLA health study of Rocketdyne workers at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory will meet Monday to discuss whether to conduct a similar study of residents in nearby communities.

The UCLA studies, conducted in 1997 and 1999, found elevated cancer death rates among Rocketdyne workers exposed to radiation and toxic chemicals during decades of nuclear energy research and rocket-engine testing at the facility.

The panel recently received $150,000 in state funding to conduct a feasibility study that would determine how best to identify any impacts the facility may have had on the health of nearby residents. The public is invited to offer its input at the meeting Monday.

“The laboratory is heavily contaminated, so there is potential that airborne releases of contaminants, or surface and ground water releases, could impact the community,” said Daniel Hirsch, former director of nuclear policy at UC Santa Cruz, and co-chair of the panel.

The 10-member panel was appointed by state legislators representing communities near the facility, and includes local physicians and academics.

Monday’s meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Clarion Hotel, 1775 Madera Road, Simi Valley. The public is also invited to the panel’s working sessions, Sunday and Monday from 9:30 a.m. to noon; and 1 to 5 p.m., both days.

For more information, call (310) 478-0829.