In the aftermath of the Bikini Atoll nuclear bomb tests, a fleet of radioactive Navy ships returned to Hunters Point to be decontaminated. That decision set off decades of contamination, secrecy, and mistrust—much of which still lingers today.
What radioactive hazards, if any, remain at the Hunters Point Shipyard today? What’s being done to confirm—or correct—the cleanup?
Join us for a rare opportunity to hear directly from nuclear physicist Professor Kai Vetter, who founded and still leads UC Berkeley’s RadWatch program, a public-facing initiative dedicated to radiation monitoring and education. Professor Vetter will offer a clear, science-based explanation of what radiation is, how it behaves, and what’s currently known about radiation at the Shipyard.
This talk will cover several key areas of current concern, including:
- How radioactive contamination was removed from the Shipyard in the past
- The planned demolition of six radiologically impacted buildings in Parcel G, scheduled for 2026
- Ongoing retesting of soil and trenches throughout the Shipyard for potential radiological contamination, particularly in Parcels B and C.
- How radiation is detected, measured, and interpreted—and what that means for residents, artists, and the broader Bayview community
Get trustworthy answers straight from an indepnedent nuclear scientist who has visited and studied nuclear disaster sites such as Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Free admission. Q&A to follow. Light refreshments provided.
DOORS open 5PM for viewing of the exhibit DECOMMISSIONED.
Thursday, July 24 | 6:00–8:00 PM (Gallery opens 5 PM)
The Shipyard Gallery – 101 Horne Ave, San Francisco, CA 94124
Reserve your free ticket: [eventbrite link]
Visit: shipyardartists.com
This event is presented by Shipyard Trust for the Arts (STAR) as part of our Shipyard Environmental Education Series, with support from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control.
The education series accompanies the art and history exhibit DECOMMISSIONED: History of Hunters Point Shipyard, supported by the San Francisco Arts Commission and the Kenneth Rainin Foundation.
About the Exhibit:
From the West Coast’s first commercial drydock to a major WWII naval base and Cold War–era radiological research site, the Hunters Point Shipyard has played many roles in San Francisco’s social, environmental, and military history. Curator Stacey Carter presents over 20 years of research in this first-of-its-kind exhibit exploring the Shipyard’s complex past.
Come early to meet curator Stacey Carter and explore the DECOMMISSIONED exhibit.
Ongoing Exhibit Hours:
The gallery is open Saturdays, 1–5 PM: July 19, 26, August 2
Docent-led walk-throughs at 2 PM on July 18 and August 2.
Questions? info@shipyardtrust.org
More info: shipyardartists.com
Instagram: @hunterspointshipyardartists
Facebook: @shipyardartists
Accessibility and Transportation:
- Free parking
- Served by Muni lines 15 and 19
- Wheelchair accessible
This exhibition is part of CRANE, a multi-year project exploring the Hunters Point Shipyard’s role in Bayview Hunters Point and the broader history of San Francisco. Supported in part by the San Francisco Arts Commission, Department of Toxic Substances Control, Fleishhacker Foundation, and Kenneth Rainin Foundation.
Shipyard Trust for the Arts
Supporting artists, stories, and community at Hunters Point Shipyard
Want to support our free events? Please donate here.
