RE: We are killing nuclear workers!

["Lavera, Ron" <RLavera@entergy.com>]

Assuming that there is an actual causal link between working at one of these
facilities and adverse health conditions, I think one would be very hard
pressed to link the effects to radiation exposure as opposed to the other
industrial hazards that were present ( chemical and hazardous metal
exposures etc. ).  There are many studies, including shipyard radiation
workers that indicate that radiation isn't the source of the problems.  This
is just an opinion.

mine and mine alone.

Ron LaVera
rlavera@entergy.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Muckerheide [mailto:jmuckerheide@delphi.com]
Sent: Tuesday, December 12, 2000 10:47 AM
To: Multiple recipients of list
Subject: We are killing nuclear workers!


What is the nuclear industry/health physics community response to this as a
failure of "radiation protection," killing (past and future) nuclear workers
that we told were protected?

Regards, Jim
muckerheide@mediaone.net
========================

EXECUTIVE ORDER FINALIZES PROMISE TO NUCLEAR VETERANS

 WASHINGTON, DC, December 11, 2000 (ENS) - President Bill Clinton has issued
an executive order outlining the framework for compensating thousands of
current and former nuclear weapons plant workers, or their survivors, whose
service to the country has left them sick or dying. "This is one of the most
meaningful new federal programs in decades, impacting the lives of thousands
of Americans," said Energy Secretary Bill Richardson. "President Clinton's
executive order ensures that the compensation program will remain on course
for years to come and that all weapons plant workers - past, present and
future - can rely on their government to do the right thing, even after the
sites where they worked have closed." 

 The order begins implementing the Energy Employees Occupational Illness
Compensation Program Act of 2000, which was enacted in October as part of
the
National Defense Authorization Act. The Act provides for compensation of
Energy Department workers, or their survivors, who have occupational
illnesses
from exposure to the hazards associated with building nuclear weapons. The
order establishes a Worker Assistance Program within the Energy Department
that will help workers with occupational illnesses apply for benefits under
state compensation programs. An interagency working group will develop a
legislative proposal and address program implementation. "These individuals,
many of whom were neither protected from nor informed of the hazards to
which
they were exposed, developed occupational illnesses as a result of their
exposure to radiation and other hazards unique to nuclear weapons production
and testing," said Clinton. "While the nation can never fully repay these
workers or their families, they deserve fair compensation for their
sacrifices. I am pleased to take the next critical step in ensuring that
these
courageous individuals receive the compensation and recognition they have
long
deserved." 
                             * * *
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