Health screenings set for nuke workers

Wednesday, March 12, 2003 | 9:27 a.m.

Health screenings are scheduled this week for former nuclear workers at the Nevada Test Site who could be eligible for federal compensation for illnesses related to their jobs.

Almost 3,000 former Test Site workers have been screened so far for signs of asbestos exposure, noise-induced hearing loss, lung cancer and other diseases.

More than 400 of those workers have been referred to receive the compensation, officials said.

Full-scale nuclear weapons tests were conducted at the Test Site, 65 miles northwest of Las Vegas, from 1951 to 1992.

The screening project began in 1998 in response to concerns that workers were at significant risk for health problems linked to their jobs.

The compensation program offers former workers or families of deceased workers compensation benefits that can include a lump sum of $150,000 and medical benefits.

Another round of health screenings is scheduled Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Las Vegas.

Screenings are available from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday at the Family Practice Medical Center, 6375 W. Charleston Blvd.

Dr. Lewis Pepper of the Boston University School of Public Health said that in addition to lung disease and other common ailments, some former Test Site workers are at risk for developing chronic beryllium disease, which comes from inhaling the fine metal dust.

The Nevada Test Site Medical Surveillance program had notified 9,807 people by December 2002 of health screening information, said Gail Williams, project coordinator at Boston University.

"We reach former workers through the local unions and retiree groups, union newsletters, local media, posters and brochures," Williams said.

"The ultimate goal of our project is to evaluate the medical conditions of former workers."