Exposure, Sick Workers & EEOICPA
Of the nearly 700,000 employees, contractors or sub-contractors of the Department of Energy, many became sick as a result of the hazardous work environment associated with nuclear weapon production. Their sacrifice is appropriately described by President Bill Clinton in the following Executive Order:
“Thousands of these courageous Americans…paid a high price for their service, developing disabling or fatal illnesses as a result of exposure to beryllium, ionizing radiation, and other hazards unique to nuclear weapons production and testing. Too often, these workers were poorly protected or not properly made aware of the dangers when working with radiation and chemicals specific to nuclear weapon production. As a result, many developed work related illnesses; sometimes even well after their employment.”
—?Executive Order 13179: Providing Compensation to America’s Nuclear Weapons Workers