ROCKETDYNE A GOOD NEIGHBOR FOR 45 YEARS.

Byline: Jim Albaugh

/ Local View@

BEFORE Sojourner could crawl a few feet on Mars, the Pathfinder spacecraft had to travel 309 million miles. It was sent on its way on a Delta rocket powered by a propulsion system designed, built and tested by Rocketdyne.

When the 87th space shuttle mission gets under way later this month, it will be Rocketdyne's Space Shuttle Main Engine that will once again boost it into orbit. When the international space station carries space science into the 21st century, it will be powered by an electrical system developed and built by researchers, engineers, craftsmen and others right here in Canoga Park.

Just as the technology has made great strides in 45 years, our understanding of work-related risks and our ability to minimize them has evolved. Throughout all these years, Rocketdyne has acted responsibly and placed as much emphasis on safeguards against the risk of radiation and chemical exposure as we have on the cutting-edge technology that took us to the moon and beyond.

There has been a good deal of media coverage about the UCLA health study of Rocketdyne radiation workers. Unfortunately, it has done little to dispel the misperceptions among community members about the safety and risks associated with work conducted at Rocketdyne. There are some facts about radiation work at Rocketdyne that were overlooked and need to be emphasized.

No Rocketdyne employee has ever received radiation exposure in excess of annual limits set by regulatory agencies. In fact, in 1985 Rocketdyne set limits that were more than twice as strict as the established regulatory limits. Since the late 1980s, Rocketdyne has not done any nuclear work at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory. Radiation workers doing cleanup work receive thorough training in the risks of radiation exposure and the safeguards needed to protect against exposure.

A misrepresentation made about Rocketdyne in a recent Daily News editorial also needs to be clarified. Contrary to the editorial's allegation - and with the exception of the details of sensitive national defense work - we do not keep secrets from our employees or the community.

Open communication has always been a hallmark of our efforts at Rocketdyne. We encourage local residents to come to Santa Susana to observe our cleanup operations. After receiving training required by the state, people have seen for themselves the progress we are making in the decontamination and decommissioning of former nuclear facilities.

Rocketdyne remains committed to the health and safety of Rocketdyne workers and the surrounding community:

Rocketdyne will continue to provide medical surveillance for our employees who may be exposed to hazardous substances and will continue radiation monitoring.

Rocketdyne is working closely with current and former employees to address their health or safety concerns. We are providing access to physicians who are specialists in oncology and occupational medicine to answer employee questions raised by the study.

Rocketdyne will voluntarily track all individuals in the group of radiation workers studied by UCLA. We will work with outside, independent epidemiologists to do this.

As always, Rocketdyne will implement aggressive engineering controls, training and protective equipment to ensure the safest workplace possible while protecting the surrounding community.

And what about our neighbors? Rocketdyne and its new parent company, Boeing, are committed to being a responsible and involved neighbor for every local resident, including nearly 2,000 Rocketdyne families who have chosen to make their homes in the area.

Several years ago, to address community concerns about potential impacts of our activities on the community, Rocketdyne conducted a thorough program of off-site testing of soil, water and vegetation on neighboring properties. This study was done with the approval and involvement of state and federal regulatory agencies.

The results showed that no contamination exists that poses a health risk to local residents. However, we recognize the concerns that families might have and will join with government agencies and the community to conduct further widespread environmental testing for potential contamination to help allay any lingering fears.

We urge government agencies, members of the community and even the Daily News to get involved with Rocketdyne as partners in a responsible program to address concerns and answer questions.

Rocketdyne and its employees have been members of the community for 45 years. We stand committed to ensure that the facts about our work, the safety of our activities and the risks they may pose to our workers and the community are responsibly communicated. Together we can put to rest any misperceptions our neighbors might have about their health and safety, and the research and development work performed by the men and women of Rocketdyne.