Toxic pollution found under ships in Suisun Bay

Report shows seven poisonous metals peeling from decaying government vessels in hazardous concentrations
By THOMAS PEELE/MediaNews Group
Article Launched: 06/17/2007 08:16:56 AM PDT

McGowan: "This material is going to keep getting into the bay and something has to be done about it."
More than 21 tons of lead, zinc, barium, copper and other toxic metals have fallen or washed away from decaying government ships off Benicia in Suisun Bay, and high levels of the materials were found in sediment under the vessels, according to a draft report.

Tests on water extracted from sediment samples indicate a significant risk to aquatic life on the bay bottom and that toxic metals are likely entering the food chain and could be passed on to people who eat fish from the area, said two scientists who reviewed the report for MediaNews Group.

The 610-page document suggests that the "mothball fleet" of dozens of World War II relics and rotting cargo carriers is more of an environmental threat than the U.S. Maritime Administration, which maintains it, has previously acknowledged.

The report lists seven toxic metals in peeling and flaking paints in quantities that exceed California's standards for hazardous waste.

In addition to the 21 tons of metals that are estimated to have fallen, at least another 66 tons remain on the ships.

That toxic material "is likely to be released to the environment" and its cleanup "is highly warranted and recommended" because of threats to the "ecosystem, site maintenance personnel, visitors and salvage crews," states the report by R&M Environmental and Infrastructure, an Oakland engineering firm.
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