The recommendation must be approved by U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius before it becomes effective. Congress theoretically could block the action, but hasn’t done so in the past.
The special status applies to sick workers employed at Mound for at least 250 days from March 1, 1959, to March 5, 1980, and either worked in the R-SW buildings or underwent at least one urinalysis for tritium exposure during their employment.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recommended the action after researchers discovered there was a leak of three isotopes of radon into an office in the R-SW buildings that went undetected for 20 years. Scientists said it isn’t possible to accurately reconstruct anyone’s exposure to the radon, but one worker tested in 1979 had a high body count for radiation.
Josie Beach, who chairs the board’s Mound Work Group, said her group will study whether the special status should be extended to apply to post-1980 Mound workers.
More information on the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program is available at http://cdc.gov/niosh/ocas and at http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/.
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2264 or tbeyerlein@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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