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Michael Mewhinney                   May 2, 2003
NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.
Phone: 650/604-3937 or 650/604-9000
E-mail: Michael.Mewhinney{at}nasa.gov

RELEASE: 03-33AR

NASA TO REMEDY ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RISK IN MOFFETT HANGAR ONE

NASA officials today announced they are taking immediate steps to 
remedy a potential health and environmental hazard recently 
discovered in Hangar One at Moffett Field. Hangar One was included in 
the transfer of Moffett Field from the Navy to NASA in 1994.

Late last summer, a preliminary sampling by NASA's environmental 
staff indicated that Hangar One contained polychlorinated biphenyls 
(PCBs). PCBs are a suspected carcinogen with other potential health 
impacts. NASA environmental and engineering staffs have been 
conducting more extensive tests since the discovery of the situation. 
Within the past few weeks, they have determined PCBs to be more 
pervasive than previously thought. 

"We are now aware that many of the building materials used to 
construct and maintain Hangar One prior to NASA stewardship contained 
PCBs," said Sandy Olliges, chief of environmental services at NASA 
Ames Research Center, located in California's Silicon Valley. "NASA 
has notified the Navy and has begun discussions with the 
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address this situation. 
While our storm drainage system is designed to trap sediments 
containing heavy metals and PCBs, NASA is committed to taking 
immediate and specific further action to remedy this condition."

"NASA is currently evaluating a range of options to prevent 
additional release of PCBs from Hangar One," Olliges further 
explained. Although NASA engineers are still studying the cost of the 
various options, estimates range from $10 million to $50 million.

One option is encapsulation of the PCBs with a protective sealant and 
monitoring the condition by both NASA and the EPA. This option is 
estimated to cost $10 million to $15 million.

A second option is to remove the hangar's structural materials 
containing PCBs and replace them with new materials. This option is 
estimated to cost $30 million to $50 million. In addition to the high 
cost, NASA officials say that, due to the age of the hangar, its 
structural integrity could be adversely impacted.

A third option would be to demolish Hangar One. NASA would also be 
required to dispose safely of all hazardous materials contained in 
the structure. This option is estimated to cost from $25 million to 
$50 million.

Each option would require an environmental review by state and 
federal agencies and public hearings in accordance with the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the National Historic 
Preservation Act. Hangar One is listed on the national register of 
historic buildings and is part of the Shenandoah Plaza National 
Historic District.

One additional action for NASA is to find a temporary alternative 
location for the Moffett Field Historical Society, the only current 
intended tenant in Hangar One. The Historical Society previously 
operated the Moffett Historical Museum inside the hangar until last 
spring.

Constructed in 1933 as the central component of the historic U.S. 
Naval Air Station, Sunnyvale, Hangar One comprises eight acres of 
floor space and is a highly visible Bay Area landmark. Constructed at 
a cost of $2.5 million, it was originally built to house the U.S.S. 
Macon naval airship. The Navy operated and maintained the hangar 
until its transfer to NASA in 1994.

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