:: rawblogXport ::

:: Tuesday, February 24, 2004 ::

DOE admits toxic screw-up By STEVE TETREAULT
DOE estimates between 1,200 and 1,500 individuals were involved in carving a five-mile exploratory tunnel into Yucca Mountain or participating in experiments to determine its suitability for nuclear waste storage. The department has initiated a screening program to identify how many might have been exposed to toxic levels of silica or other cancer-causing fibers.

Chu's remarks came in a letter sent Tuesday to Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in the wake of reports that some former Yucca Mountain workers have contracted silicosis and other lung ailments they believe stemmed from their work at the site.

Former workers said even when worn, masks were ill fitting and of little use against the clouds of dust kicked up during drilling, which was conducted "dry" so as not to interfere with experiments.

Lack of Safety Is Charged in Nuclear Site Cleanup By SARAH KERSHAW and MATTHEW L. WALD, NY Times
Tom Peterson, 51, an ironworker rigger who has worked at Hanford for 25 years, is one of 21 workers with chronic beryllium disease, an illness unknown at the height of the cold war. Dr. Takaro said 84 more have been 'sensitized,' to beryllium, which means they are at high risk of contracting the full-blown disease.

'I went to work out there figuring I was going to support my family,' Mr. Peterson said. 'I didn't expect to go out there and be poisoned and nobody fess up to anything. If they would have told me ahead of time what I was getting into, maybe I wouldn't have taken the job.'

Electricians, a group not generally thought at high risk, are among those showing symptoms of exposure to asbestos and other hazards, as well as health physics technicians, who help monitor workers' radiation exposure.

posted 5:16 AM :: reference link :: 0 comments ::

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