Editorial: Some DOE workers could soon get help

Friday, July 16, 1999 | 9:44 a.m.

The U.S. Department of Energy did the right thing Thursday when it acknowledged that nuclear weapons production could have caused illnesses in thousands of workers, including those who worked at the Nevada Test Site. DOE Secretary Bill Richardson promised that the agency would compensate workers who had illnesses develop because of exposure to beryllium, which is used in a nuclear warhead's guidance system.

Along with the beryllium compensation, President Clinton created a task force to also examine whether other occupational illnesses arising from work at nuclear weapons facilities may have occurred, including exposure to asbestos, mercury and uranium. Repeated denials in the past regarding such links damaged the DOE's reputation; it's good to see the agency finally make itself accountable.

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