Support Hunters Point Biomonitoring’s MedicoLegal Defense Fund for Environmental Justice

August 23, 2025

The Hunters Point Biomonitoring Program is establishing a Community MedicoLegal Defense Fund for Environmental Justice to continue providing toxic exposure screening services to residents and workers near the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard federal Superfund site in San Francisco. Launched in 2019 as the nation's first community-based human biomonitoring program, it offers screening for up to 35 toxicants including radioactive and cancer-causing heavy metals. The program can no longer provide free services due to overwhelming demand for testing, toxicological referrals, and legal assistance as federal and state lawsuits progress and a major class action lawsuit approaches trial in 2026.

Who is affected

Residents and workers within the one-mile perimeter of the Hunters Point Naval Shipyard federal Superfund system
High-risk, low-income residents and workers seeking medical care and legal advocacy
The Bayview Hunters Point environmental justice impacted coastal community
People involved in toxic tort claims and class action lawsuits

What action is being taken

Creation of a Community MedicoLegal Defense Fund for Environmental Justice
Providing environmental health referral services to exposed residents and workers
Offering toxic exposure screenings capable of detecting up to 35 toxicants
Seeking community-wide financial support through a GoFundMe campaign for the medicolegal defense fund

Why it matters

Federal and state lawsuits related to toxic exposure are advancing this year
A major class action community lawsuit is scheduled for trial in 2026
The Hunters Point Biomonitoring Program can no longer offer charity services due to high demand
The program represents the nation's first community-based human biomonitoring initiative in a Superfund area

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: San Francisco Bay View National Black Newspaper