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| Energy Department Releases Study of Radiation at the Paducah Site The Energy Department today released results of a study of possible past radiation exposures to workers at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Paducah, Kentucky. The study, which is part of Secretary of Energy Bill Richardson's worker health and safety initiative at the Paducah site, was jointly prepared for the department by researchers at the University of Utah and the Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union."This report identifies the type of work which, in the past, posed the greatest risk to Paducah workers." said Secretary Richardson. "It will serve as a basis for further study to ensure that workers made sick at Paducah get the compensation they deserve." The study concluded that from 1952-1991 an estimated 2,500 to 4,000 employees worked in areas which increased their potential radiation exposure beyond that expected for workers elsewhere at the plant. These highest risk areas included the Feed Plant (Buildings C-410/420), the Decontamination Building (C-400), the Metals Building (C-340) and the Cascade Buildings (C-331, C-333, C-335 and C-337). The tasks which had the most potential for increased exposure included ash handling, cylinder heels cleaning, derbies processing, pulverizer operation, flange grinding and baghouse filter changing. The study helps to focus future health studies by identifying the job types, locations and time period that could have posed the highest risk. The study did not attempt to estimate doses for individual workers. While all types of possible radiation exposures were considered in the study, particular attention was given to potential exposures to transuranic elements Ð neptunium and plutonium. Current practices at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant keep worker exposures well below historic levels. The study results are available on the Internet at: http://tis.eh.doe.gov. Questions from workers can be directed to the Energy Department's Office of Worker Advocacy. The toll free number is (877) 447-9756. Former workers or retirees from the gaseous diffusion plants may also wish to enroll in the Medical Screening Program, which provides free medical screening for work related illnesses, by calling toll free (888) 241-1199. A public meeting on the study will be held on February 1, 2001, in Paducah. Representatives of the University of Utah, Paper, Allied-Industrial, Chemical and Energy Workers International Union and DOE will be available to respond to workers and interested citizens. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. CST in the Resource Center Building, Paducah Information Age Park, 2000 McCracken Boulevard, Paducah, Kentucky. -DOE- R-01-007hq |
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