Santa Susana Field Lab

The Santa Susana Field Lab is a former nuclear test site located in Simi Valley. Over the years, there has been a lot of controversy about the clean up or lack thereof. Some believe that there is an increase in cancer rates for those who live close by. However, numerous studies have been conducted and according to the reporting, the findings have been inconclusive.

A Little History

The federal government owns about 20% of the Santa Susana Field Lab site. Boeing owns the other 80%. From 1946-2006, it was used for the testing of ballistic missiles, rockets and space shuttle equipment. In 1959, there was a partial nuclear meltdown in the area owned by Boeing – playing a big role in the concern and controversy over possible ongoing affects.

Santa Susana & The Conejo Valley

The affected area is said to be a rough 2 mile radius from the Santa Susana Field Lab – leaving the Conejo Valley outside the affected zone.

Chambord & Regency Hills in Oak Park is the closest neighborhood to the site. Over the years, some have expressed concern about the neighborhood’s proximity to the site although it is outside the 2 mile radius at approximately 4 miles from the site.

From the RE/MAX One Addendum

Buyer is aware that there is a former Rocketdyne testing facility located in the Santa Susana Mountains between Chatsworth and Simi Valley. The U.S. Department of Energy has indicated that there are some radioactive materials and industrial solvents on the site, which are in the process of clean up.

Lawsuits have been filed alleging that the Rocketdyne facility has caused environmental contamination beyond the site. Two recent studies by UCLA and the University of Michigan have indicated that residents living within 2 miles of the facility may have been exposed to toxic chemicals and have slightly higher cancer rates than people in communities farther from the lab. However authors of both reports have warned the results of these studies did not conclusively show that contamination from this facility caused cancer or other illnesses in the surrounding community.

The Seller and Real Estate Brokers are unable to give any definitive answers regarding potential health hazards that may result from the proximity of the property to the former testing facility. Buyer is advised to conduct an independent investigation of this matter. It is strongly recommended that buyer have a soil test conducted of the subject property to determine any potential contamination.