List

“We are very concerned about recent allegations that past activities at the Paducah Gaseous Diffusion Plant have endangered the health of employees. We owe a great debt to the workforce at Paducah, and we are fully investigating these issues.

In June, we dispatched a team of expert health physicists to assess the situation. They did not uncover any imminent threats to the public health, worker safety or the environment, but we are continuing to investigate these concerns. Further, the Department of Energy is in close contact with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other agencies to address these issues and assure the protection of workers and the public.

We are taking the following steps.

First, I’ve ordered a full investigation to examine these issues. I am determined to uncover more about what actually occurred, who was responsible and what must be done to assure that it never happens again.

Second, we are asking the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences to independently investigate the relationship between hazardous exposures and illnesses in our workers at Paducah and other Energy Department sites.

Third, I announced last month an initiative to provide compensation to current and former workers who are ill because of exposure to beryllium at Energy Department nuclear sites. I’m asking the White House to expand the legislation, soon to be sent to Congress, to include workers who have been exposed to radioactive materials.

Fourth, we are initiating a comprehensive study of worker medical history since the 1950s and we are instituting an immediate medical surveillance program for current workers. This is in addition to the medical monitoring that we are already doing for former workers, to determine whether they have been made sick from exposure to radioactive materials in the course of their work at the Paducah plant.

Fifth, I have asked Dr. David Michaels, the Department’s Assistant Secretary for Environment, Safety and Health to go to Paducah this week. He will meet with workers and the public to assess and report back to me.

Sixth, I have ordered the Department’s Office of General Counsel to assess the contractual and legal responsibilities of our contractors. I will ask the contractors to provide me with all of their health and environmental records. I will hold all of our contractors, past and present, responsible for their actions.

Lastly, I have ordered the Department’s experts to reassess our Fiscal Year 2000 budget request to assure me that it addresses all of the important health and safety issues at our gaseous diffusion plant sites. If it does not, we will recommend enhancements to the Congress.

These actions are warranted given the concerns raised. I will not rest until these issues are fully dealt with and any injured workers are fairly compensated.”

- DOE -

L-99-049