Gamma radiation detected at Albany Bulb in Bay Area, California

State-mandated environmental tests discovered elevated levels of gamma radiation at the Albany Bulb, a popular destination for hikers and dog walkers in the Bay Area, according to a recent report. The site, a former landfill turned outdoor art space, was investigated following concerns about potential radioactive waste.

Over the summer, the city of Albany enlisted hazardous waste specialists from Cabrera Services Inc. to assess the presence of radioactive materials at the site.

This survey was prompted by the discovery of a 1980 archival document suggesting that a chemical plant in Richmond had dumped approximately 11 000 tons of waste at the Albany and Berkeley landfill between 1960 and 1971. The waste was reported to include alum mud, a byproduct of aluminum processing that may contain radioactive properties.

The investigation revealed 10 locations with elevated levels of gamma radiation on the city-owned portion of the site. Cabrera Services recommended soil sampling in three areas, suspecting alum mud or a radioactive object may be buried there.

Gamma radiation, a form of high-frequency energy, can penetrate human tissue and damage cells. According to Daniel Hirsch, a retired director of environmental and nuclear policy at UC Santa Cruz, gamma radiation poses a cancer risk, as it can alter DNA molecules. “It’s like subatomic bullets being fired at the cells,” Hirsch said. “There is no safe level. Every level carries some risk.”

However, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) characterized the findings as posing a “low level of risk to the public.” A CDPH spokesperson noted, “The survey results indicate that most of the site is consistent with normal background radiation levels, but 10 locations showed elevated readings. Our initial assessment shows that a person would have to spend approximately 20 hours on an elevated area to receive a dose equivalent to one dental X-ray.”

The Albany Bulb, a former municipal landfill for construction debris, closed nearly 40 years ago. Since then, it has become a unique outdoor space, featuring hiking trails and art installations made from reclaimed materials. While state regulators classify the landfill’s materials as hazardous waste, visitors continue to incorporate them into artistic displays.

The Cabrera Services report stated that the observed radioactivity aligns with levels typical of landfills containing construction debris, which often includes naturally radioactive materials like granite. Cabrera also suggested it is unlikely that the elevated levels are due to large deposits of alum mud.

The city of Albany is planning further investigations to assess public health risks. “The next round of investigation will include soil sampling and shallow subsurface measurements that will help inform public risk levels,” said Brennen Brown, spokesperson for the city of Albany. “At this time, based on the information from the report, the City is not aware of any need to take additional actions to protect health and safety.”

Cabrera Services identified additional tracts of land owned by the East Bay Regional Park District, previously operated as a private landfill, as potential areas of concern. However, Cabrera staff and Albany officials did not notify the Park District about these findings. The District became aware of the issue after inquiries from the press. “Regulators have not asked us to test our property,” said Jordan Traverso, spokesperson for the Park District.

Separately, the city of Berkeley is conducting a survey for gamma radiation at Cesar Chavez Park, which also sits atop a former municipal landfill. Researchers from UC Berkeley’s Nuclear Engineering Department are assisting with the survey, using drones and ground-based sweeps to collect data. According to city spokesperson Seung Lee, the results will be made public after the data is analyzed.

References:

¹ Elevated radiation detected at former Bay Area landfill turned art park – Los Angeles Times – December 2, 2024