NASA’s top priority is the protection of public health and the environment, and the Agency is firmly committed to a soil cleanup that protects the health of the community. NASA has been working with the Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) under the 2010 Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) that defines the process for characterization and cleanup of soils at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory (SSFL). The AOC requires NASA to clean up soils to Look-up Table values, established by DTSC in 2013.
NASA has completed its soil investigation in NASA-administered areas at SSFL. The investigation included sampling, laboratory analyses, treatability studies and pilot testing in preparation for conducting a comprehensive soil cleanup effort. NASA has summarized the results of the investigation in a 2017 Data Summary Report.
Some interim initiatives to clean up soils have included removing 3,000 cubic yards of mercury contamination and removing several buildings and five underground storage tanks.
NASA is working with DTSC technical team to resolve the technical challenges associated with the AOC so that a final, comprehensive cleanup can begin as soon as the State finalizes the Programmatic Environmental Impact Report (PEIR) and issues a decision document.
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