Berkeley investigates potential radioactive waste buried at waterfront park
- Old records indicate that potentially dangerous substances, including radioactive materials, may be buried under Cesar Chavez Park.
- Testing will begin on September 30th, using a drone with a gamma radiation detector to survey the park.
- The city will report findings to the state within 90 days, and park users are advised to exercise caution until results are available.
Old records have surfaced suggesting that potentially hazardous materials, including radioactive substances, may have been buried beneath a park at the Berkeley waterfront. In response, the State of California has mandated that the city conduct testing to assess the situation. The park in question is Cesar Chavez Park, and the testing is set to begin at sunrise on September 30th, utilizing a drone equipped with a gamma radiation detector to survey the area thoroughly. Officials have emphasized that the contamination is a legacy issue from over 50 years ago, linked to a Richmond company that distributed industrial waste to several landfills, including the one in Berkeley. While some park supporters express skepticism about the level of danger, others, like Claudia Kawczynska, founder of the park's off-leash dog area, are taking precautions and advising caution until the results of the testing are available. The drone will operate for two hours each day over a five-day period, and certain sections of the park will be temporarily closed during this time. After the testing is completed, the city will have a 90-day window to compile and submit a final report of their findings to the state authorities. The situation has raised concerns among park users, with some choosing to avoid the area until the testing results are analyzed. The outcome of this investigation will determine the safety of the park for public use and may lead to further actions depending on the findings.