Monday, April 6, 1998 | 11:17 a.m.
Alaska nuclear laborers who worked during U.S. nuclear experiments from 1965 to 1973 have released a report that claims they were exposed to health-threatening radiation.
Radiation expert Rosalie Bertell, who wrote the report, said Alaskan workers were exposed to tritium contaminated ground water, cesium 137 and nuclear materials from a bomb cavity.
The workers could have received three times the radiation exposure allowed under standards at the time, Bertell concluded. Bertell is president of the International Institute of Concern for Public Health.
The atomic workers are asking the U.S. Department of Energy to fund a medical survey of the workers' health, said Kevin Dougherty, attorney for the Alaska State District Council of Laborers.
Dr. Knut Ringen of the Center to Protect Workers' Rights submitted a medical monitoring program for the Alaskan workers. The study is similar to those underway at Hanford, Wash., and Oakridge, Tenn.
The U.S. government conducted three atomic tests and clean ups from 1965 to 1973.
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