Alameda Naval Air Station

Base Background

Naval Air Station (NAS) Alameda, now known as Alameda Point, is a former military base located at the western end of Alameda Island, in California’s Bay Area. First commissioned in 1940, the base played a significant role at the start of World War II. As a naval air station, this location served as a base for military personnel, supplies, and machinery transported to the Pacific through WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The station was added to the National Priorities List as a Superfund site in the 1990s.

Toxic Chemicals Exposure at NAS Alameda

Before 1974, all industrial wastewater was discharged, untreated, in the Seaplane Lagoon and the Oakland Inner Harbor, posing a threat to the San Francisco Bay area. The contamination at NAS Alameda is massive, resulting from operations that include metal plating, radium dial painting, paint removal, aircraft maintenance, fueling, engine testing, and missile reworking.

Environmental investigations identified approximately 60 contaminated areas throughout the installation, consisting of 35 Superfund or CERCLA sites and 25 petroleum sites where contaminants (such as VOCs and PCBs) were released into the environment. Remediation is still ongoing, with particular effort put into the cleanup of PFAS contamination in 2024-2025. Learn more about PFAS exposure from firefighting foam and how to claim compensation.

Radiation Dangers at NAS Alameda

Even more dangerous is the presence at NAS Alameda of traces of uranium and other radioactive materials. Low-level radiological contamination has been identified in Landfills 1 and 2, potentially creating long-term health concerns for those who worked on or lived near the base.

If you developed a medical condition related to radiation exposure, PFAS or other toxins from NAS Alameda, you may be eligible for compensation and veterans benefits. Get a free case evaluation here to explore your legal options.