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Senate Passes Unanimous Resolution Honoring Cold War Nuclear Workers With National Day of Remembrance

Resolution recognizes sacrifices made by nuclear weapons and uranium workers who risked their lives serving their country during the Cold War

(DENVER, CO – September 29, 2010) The U.S. Senate unanimously passed a bipartisan resolution yesterday designating October 30, 2010, a national day of remembrance for uranium and nuclear weapons workers who served their country during the Cold War Era.

“Our nation’s cold war veterans who dedicated their brainpower, livelihoods and unknowingly jeopardized their health to develop our nuclear deterrent, deserve this recognition,” said Senator Tom Udall (D-NM), one of the resolution’s four sponsors. “Behind the Manhattan Project at what would become Los Alamos National Laboratory were not only scientists, but many others like janitors, maintenance workers and miners and millers. They worked with and supplied the very substances that made them sick, and in too many instances ultimately led to their premature deaths. They — and their families — sacrificed tremendously for the security of America and for that we will always owe them a debt of gratitude.”

“These civilian workers made great contributions to our national defense during the Cold War,” said co-sponsor Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). “It’s appropriate that we dedicate a day to celebrate their achievements and to honor the sacrifices they made to help keep our country and its citizens safe.”

Cold War Patriots, a non-profit organization advocating for nuclear weapons complex workers, launched the National Day of Remembrance campaign in 2009. The renewal of the National Day of Remembrance again in 2010 ensures the former workers will get the recognition they deserve. At the height of the Cold War, over 600,000 men and women worked to make the country’s nuclear deterrent possible. Many of them developed disabling or fatal illnesses because of exposure to radiation and toxic substances while producing and testing nuclear weapons. On October 30, Cold War Patriots will honor their contribution to America’s defense with celebrations in a dozen communities around the country.

“Our goal is to make sure that these unsung heroes are not forgotten,” said Greg Austin, Chairman of the Cold War Patriots Advisory Committee.

Background

During the Cold War, some 600,000 people worked to build the U.S. arsenal of nuclear weapons. In 2000, the U.S. Congress passed an act to compensate people who had been harmed. The Department of Labor program gives cash and medical aid to workers who became ill after being exposed to radiation or toxic substances.

Many facilities have high levels of exposure and sickness, however, significant exposure has happened for uranium workers in the Four Corners area (the border of Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona), and nuclear workers in OH, WA, TN, CO, SC and many other states across the nation.

Cold War Patriots is the first national network connecting nuclear workers and uranium miners with support and assistance with complicated issues, including benefits claims. As they desperately wait for help, these workers are currently dying at an estimated rate of 60 per day. The organization’s advisory committee includes workers, physicians and attorneys.

Membership in Cold War Patriots is free to current and former nuclear weapons workers, uranium miners, millers, and haulers, as well as other individuals, family members or professionals that support the Cold War Patriot mission. For more information visit www.coldwarpatriots.com or call 888-903-8989.

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The below article contains information about contamination and beryllium at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation.  Click the links below to read the full article.

• Stimulus Workers Confront Legacy of Contamination at Nuclear Sites

• Chapters:

• 1: Stimulus Jobs v. Beryllium Risks
• 2: Chronic Beryllium Disease and Hanford
• 3: Apology to Beryllium Workers
• 4: Beryllium Whistleblowers at Hanford

More Than $413 Million Paid to Portsmouth Workers

Article By Tony Rutherford
Huntingtonnews.net Reporter
View the original article here.

Huntington, WV (HNN) – Based on statistics supplied by the U.S. Department of Labor (Office of Worker’s Compensation Programs EEOICP ) statistics 540 individuals have received a total of over five million dollars for occupational (atomic related) illness at the now buried plant.

Once on the grounds of International Nickel, the Huntington Pilot (Reduction Pilot) Plant completed then classified work for the Department of Energy related to radioactive metals, such as uranium.

For instance, based on CDC/NIOSH (Center for Disease Control/ National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health) documents, the plant supplied nickel powder that was used to make gaseous diffusion barriers for the three gaseous diffusion plants AND nickel scrap from K-25 was shipped back to the HPP to be recycled into nickel power for future shipments to the gaseous diffusion plants. The scrap nickel may have contained 4-39% enriched uranium.

The plant shut in 1962 and was deemed contaminated in full. In 1979, it was disassembled and buried in trenches at the Piketon, Ohio, gaseous diffusion plant site in a classified materials location. According to an oversight report on the Portsmouth Plant the HPP was built in 1952 and produced nickel to supports Portsmouth, Paducah and Oak Ridge. “Since the plant contained material and equipment still considered classified, a decision was made to bury the plant at Portsmouth. Investigation by an industrial hygienist identified several health and safety concerns, including asbestos and nickel carbonyl. Sampling of residual material and surfaces indicated the presence of uranium.”

The X749A classified burial site also has classified records, tube sheets, compressor blades, classified parts, metal shapes clad with either zirconium or hafnium.

According to reports, the trucks and tools and railroad cars were also buried in the trench along with the plant remains.

COMPENSATION PAYMENTS

The U.S.D.L. site stated that 1,066 claims have been filed representing 815 cases (540 unique individual workers living or deceased). Of those, 46 claims (39 cases) received compensation. This includes $4.98 million in payments and $85,000 in medical bills paid.

Rejection rates run very high for these claims. Of final decisions under Part B cancer cases, 76 claims of cancer have been denied as not work related (i.e. probability of causation less than 50%). 46 claims were rejected due to insufficient medical data. 11 claims were rejected due to survivor ineligibility. 27 claims on 20 cases resulted in $3 million in compensation.

Under Part E, 439 cases were filed of which 297 were “non-covered applications” (225 due to non-covered employment, 72 due to survivor not covered normally adult children barred by 2004 amendment). This left 142 covered applications and 121 cases. Recommended decisions pending have 29 approved and 67 denied claims. Final decisions have 25 approved and 67 denied (18 cancer not work related and 49 medical info insufficient to support claim).

Approximately $1.98 million dollars has been paid on 19 claims (and cases).

By contrast, the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant has processed 10,100 claims (7,060 cases of 4,001 unique workers). Payments and medical bill payment has been made on 3,311 claims (2,664 cases) representing $413,022,001 dollars.

Again, significant claims/cases are denied. Under Part B, 4,935 claims (3,352 cases) were filed and 174/110 were rejected for Non Covered Employment and 430/393 for Condition Not Covered.

However, Portsmouth claims/cases have a more than 50% chance for recommended for approval (2,156 approved; 1,717 denied) and 2,110 final decisions approved and 1,642 denied (cancer not work related, 919; medical info insufficient, 578; survivor not eligible, 145).

Of Portsmouth cases sent for Dose Reconstruction and Final Decision, 642 out of 871 were denied for Probability of Causation (POC) not meeting the 50% threshold.

For HPP statistics, click: http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/statistics/WebPages/HUNTINGTON_PLT.htm

For Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion statistics, click: http://www.dol.gov/owcp/energy/regs/compliance/statistics/WebPages/PORTSMOUTH_GDP.htm

Read the press release at Iowa Politics.com»

The Office of Health, Safety and Security (HSS) in the Department of Energy (DOE) supports and recognizes the important contribution of workers during the Cold War Era.  Aptly put, the office is “Honoring the Past and Looking to the Future.”  See the National Day of Remembrance graphic and proclamation below.

Friends and colleagues:

On May 22, the United States Senate unanimously approved S. RES. 151,
designating October 30, 2009, as a National Day of Remembrance for
nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers and
haulers. This act of Congress affords us all the opportunity to
recognize and honor the men and women who tirelessly served our country
by building and maintaining our nuclear forces during World War II
through the Cold War and continuing today.

Our workers helped bring victory in World War II and supported
the deterrent that brought us safely through the Cold War. Their
dedicated service continues to protect the United States and our allies
today.

In honor of our workforce, the Department of Energy
headquarters will commemorate this day with various activities,
focusing upon the theme “Honoring the Past and Looking to the Future.”

The Secretary and I also encourage each of the DOE sites and
laboratories within the DOE complex that support our country’s nuclear
weapons program to this mark special day with their own events.

As you make plans to host events and activities, DOE
headquarters would like to acknowledge your event and provide
assistance as necessary. Please contact Regina Cano (Regina.Cano@hq.doe.gov) or Pat Worthington (Pat.Worthington@hq.doe.gov) to share your plans and help answer your questions.

We thank all of you in advance for your efforts to celebrate this important day.

Sincerely,
Daniel Poneman
Deputy Secretary

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has posted a tribute to the National Day of Remembrance for Cold War Era workers.  Below is their tribute. Thank you NIOSH.

Honoring Quiet Sacrifice

This month, our country recognizes a group of workers who quietly made personal sacrifices to protect our country and our freedom. The U.S. Senate designated October 30, 2009, as a National Day of Remembrance for American nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers, and haulers.

These workers did not just do a job. During a time when our country was at war, and later, during the Cold War, they discreetly built a nuclear weapons program to protect and defend their families, neighbors, and fellow citizens across the country. And in doing so, some of these workers were exposed, often unknowingly, to the types of workplace risks that NIOSH now strives every day to prevent. Some of these workers sacrificed their health, and some lost their lives as a result of these exposures.

From the beginning of our involvement in this compensation program, NIOSH’s core values have been an integral part of our activities. In particular, the core values of quality of science, transparency, and accountability are at the heart of the actions, decisions, and communications in this program.

As NIOSH continues to fulfill its role under EEOICPA, we recognize the debt of gratitude owed to the workers who quietly made sacrifices to protect our country, and honor that debt with our commitment to quality of science, transparency, and accountability in our work.

We invite you to join NIOSH in honoring these workers on the National Day of Remembrance, October 30, 2009.

Download Volume 1 – Edition 3 of the Cold War Patriots Newsletter

The United States Senate has unanimously approved S. RES. 151desigating October 30, 2009, a national day of remembrance for uranium workers and nuclear weapons workers who proudly served our country and fought to win the Cold War.

Below is the language and resolution approved in the Senate.  The United States House of Representatives has introduced a companion bill to be voted on soon.

Come back soon for more updates and National Day of Remembrance Events.  If you would like to show your support for the NDR, please sign your name to our online form.  We will be adding all online names to a banner to be displayed at the capital on October 30th in support of the workers and their families who sacrificed to keep our country free and safe.

NDR Approved Bill:

Whereas hundreds of thousands of men and women have served this Nation in building its nuclear defense since World War II; (Agreed to by Senate)

SRES 151 ATS

111th CONGRESS 1st SessionS. RES. 151

Designates a national day of remembrance on October 30, 2009, for nuclear weapons program workers.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 14, 2009

Mr. BUNNING (for himself, Mr. ALEXANDER, Ms. MURKOWSKI, Mr. BINGAMAN, Mr. UDALL of Colorado, Mr. KENNEDY, Mr. VOINOVICH, Mr. REID, Mr. CORKER, Mr. GRASSLEY, Mrs. MURRAY, Mr. MCCONNELL, Ms. CANTWELL, Mr. UDALL of New Mexico, Mr. NELSON of Florida, Mr. BROWN, and Mr. SCHUMER) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

May 20, 2009

Committee discharged; considered and agreed to

Designates a national day of remembrance on October 30, 2009, for nuclear weapons program workers.

Whereas hundreds of thousands of men and women have served this Nation in building its nuclear defense since World War II;

Whereas these dedicated American workers paid a high price for their service and have developed disabling or fatal illnesses as a result of exposure to beryllium, ionizing radiation, toxic substances, and other hazards that are unique to the production and testing of nuclear weapons;

Whereas these workers were put at individual risk without their knowledge and consent in order to develop a nuclear weapons program for the benefit of all American citizens; and

Whereas these patriotic men and women deserve to be recognized for their contribution, service, and sacrifice towards the defense of our great Nation: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate–

• (1) designates October 30, 2009, as a national day of remembrance for American nuclear weapons program workers and uranium miners, millers, and haulers; and

• (2) encourages the people of the United States to support and participate in appropriate ceremonies, programs, and other activities to commemorate October 30, 2009, as a national day of remembrance for past and present workers in America’s nuclear weapons program.

Read the post on Frank Munger’s Atomic City Underground blog»

Read the post on Frank Munger’s Atomic City Underground blog»