When the Woolsey Fire tore through Southern California last month, it wasn’t just smoke and flames putting countless lives in danger. It also scorched the site of the Santa Susana Field Lab—meaning millions of people could have been exposed to smoke and ash carrying dormant nuclear waste left untreated by massive defense corporation Boeing.
But for parents like Melissa, the threat of nuclear toxins is ever-present. When her daughter Grace Ellen was diagnosed with a rare cancer at the age of 4, Melissa was desperate for answers. Tragically, she realized she wasn’t alone—she’s just one parent of the over 50 children in towns neighboring Santa Susana who may have been poisoned by Boeing’s negligence.
For decades, Boeing has skirted responsibility for its role in the 1959 partial nuclear meltdown at Santa Susana, even suing to get out of having to clean up the toxic site. Now, Boeing wants the public to be satisfied with leaving 80-98% of the contamination—linked to cancer, leukemia, developmental disorders, and more—on site permanently.
Call on Boeing to take responsibility and clean up the California nuclear meltdown it’s ignored for nearly six decades.
What makes matters worse is that NASA and the Department of Energy, both involved in running the facility, have helped Boeing brush the dangers of the contaminated site under the rug. Boeing has even pressured the Department of Toxic Substances Control to reduce their cleanup requirements—even getting permission to illegally dispose radioactive waste at local facilities not licensed for nuclear waste.
If state officials meant to protect families like Melissa’s are in cahoots with Boeing, it’s up to us to hold Boeing accountable. That means generating enough pressure to force Boeing’s hand—and we can’t do that without your help.
Melissa says it haunts her knowing that her daughter’s cancer could have been avoidable. No parent should have to go through the trials of cancer treatment because of a corporation’s negligence. That’s why we’re standing with Melissa in her fight to hold Boeing accountable. Will you join us?
Join Melissa’s fight to hold Boeing accountable for the nuclear waste driving up cancer rates in the Santa Susana area.
More information
Did the Woolsey fire disturb a nuclear waste site? California says no, and a group of doctors say yes
Quartz. 13 November 2018.
Quartz. 13 November 2018.
