17 December 2009

New cancer package for Hanford workers approved

An article in today's Tri-City Herald reports that the automatic compensation granted to Hanford employees who developed cancer due to radiation exposure will be expanded. Hundreds of past claims that were previously denied will be reviewed again, in addition to 340 pending claims.

A new exposure cohort will be developed, granting "automatic $150,000 compensation and medical coverage [...] to any Hanford worker who was employed for at least 250 days from Oct. 1, 1943, through June 30, 1972." Workers during these years may have been exposed to polonium, thorium and neptunium. Dozens of cancers qualify for the extended coverage.

The issues represented in this article remind Hanford stakeholders of the necessity to ensure both effective cleanup of environmental contamination while arduously protecting workers' safety on site.

3 comments:

  1. I think it is good start to recognize the workers' right to be protected from their work exposure. As Hanford is the most danger to our health related issues and especially someone who works there and develops some kind of cancer. I think the employees should get whatever they need to from their Hanford employer to at least get back some kind of support whether it is money or paying thier medical bills for someone' life time.

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  2. I agree, it's a good thing that sick workers are getting expanded compensation. Thanks for your comment!

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  3. Its true that these automatic compensation packages are a good start.
    Hopefully this will help bring more attention and awareness to the clean up issues surrounding Hanford and the EIS's proposed 'preferred alternatives'for clean up.

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