DaytonDailyNews.com

By M.J.Kraft

November 20, 2006 06:28 PM | Link to this

I hired on at Mound 1980 entry level ,{labor gang].Assignments ranging from ,office moves,,assisting skilled trades in and out of contaminated areas, yards and grounds,and digging lots of holes.In 1986 I moved up to Firefighter classification. Fire prevention was top priority.For the 13 years myself, and 8 other firefighters perforfmed ispections over every inch of every building. Hot or cold. In 1990 I was diagnosed with COPD,1994Moderate Emphysema,Lung Cancer 2006.Do yourself A favor

By Trish Quinn

November 20, 2006 11:49 AM | Link to this

Very well reported article. I work on a similar program as the WHHP but its for the construction and building trades workers that worked at Mound, Fernald and other various DOE sites. We offer an in-depth work history questionnaire and a free medical screening exam. If you worked construction at a DOE site, please call us at 1-888-464-0009. Or check us out on-line at www.btmed.org.

By Mary M.

November 19, 2006 08:27 PM | Link to this

I’ve just reread the entire series. Why does it begin with Mound in 1948? What happened at Bonebrake and the Runnymede Playhouse long before 1948 was even more dangerous and secretive.

By Mary M.

November 19, 2006 08:14 PM | Link to this

Investigative reporting at it finest (and most expensive) so it isn’t often seen in daily newspapers. I am a Mound widow and also a Mound survivor as I worked on the “cool” side. At age 81 I consider myself very, very lucky.

By nukeboy

November 16, 2006 10:23 AM | Link to this

Thanks for reporting a story which has been reported about a zillion times already. This is old news.

By Paige Gibson

November 16, 2006 08:24 AM | Link to this

I also wanted to thank DDN for continually keeping this story in the news. Good article. As part of Mound/WHPP we are starting a database to help people with their claims. Because of the cloak of secrecy we worked under and records that are missing we rely on workers for their stories and information. Anything that you can offer may help a fellow Mound worker and thanks to everyone who has already contributed. We have information that spans the decades!!!

By Paige Gibson

November 16, 2006 08:19 AM | Link to this

I worked at Mound as did my father. I became aware of the occpational exposure and got involved. I now work for Mound Workers Health Protection Program. We offer Mound workers a free medical screening. Since July we have diagnosed 6 people with lung cancer or asbestosis. We are also helping people with their claims. What a mess! So Mound people if you have questions or comments call us at 937-866-6802.

By Paige Gibson

November 16, 2006 08:12 AM | Link to this

I worked at Mound as did my father. I became aware of the occupational exposures and got involved. i am now one of three people who work at Mound Workers Health Protection Program. We offer free medical screenings to people who worked at Mound. We are also helping people with the ridiculous amount of paperwork in the compensation program.Since we started in July 6 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer& asbestosis.Questions call 937-866-6802

By Carolyn

November 14, 2006 09:39 PM | Link to this

Excellent series. Your series and others in papers near other sites where atomic workers worked and became ill should be circulated in each community so readers know the situation in the local plant was repeated over and over all over the country.

These plants, not to mention the bombs they helped create, were the American weapons of mass destruction of several generations of workers.

By WALT

November 14, 2006 09:15 PM | Link to this

I WORKED AT MOUND FOR 36 YEARS IN SOME OF THE MOST HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS. I AM NOW PAYING THE PRICE WITH CHRONIC INCURABLE LUNG DISEASE. I AM TRYING TO WORK MY WAY THRU THE PAPER WORKMILL WHICH STARTED OVER 2 YEARS AGO.

By Sam Elliott

November 14, 2006 04:49 PM | Link to this

I worked at this site in 1982 and this is the first of heard of any type of health risk. Who do I contact?????

Sicerely,

Sam Elliott

By Carrie

November 14, 2006 03:33 PM | Link to this

The Dayton Daily News(paper) just did a huge 3-part story on this, Ohio’s Nuclear Legacy. Very good. Dates Nov. 12, 13, 14. Check it out online at www.daytondailynews.com

By Bill

November 14, 2006 12:54 PM | Link to this

I worked at the infamous “bomb” plant for 31 years and am still healthy except for an unrelated heart problem. Don’t blame the plant for the bad stuff that happened and ignore the fact that most people never have had a health problem from working there. Help the ones that have!

By Bill

November 14, 2006 12:51 PM | Link to this

Having worked at the Piketon plant from 1967 until 1998, I believe I know a little about the conditions of the plant. Many mistakes were made by plant workers and management. Many ex-workers have died because of working at the plant. I’m fortunate to be healthy except for a unrelated heart problem. Don’t condemn the plant because times were different then, help those today that need help!

By Bill Bankes

November 14, 2006 12:17 PM | Link to this

I worked at Mound and my Grandfather worked at Fernald, Waverly, and GE Evendale. He died in 1963 of Cancer caused by exposure.

His claim was denied because they would not accept his time at GE and a site to be included although there were large amounts of radioactive materials there.

By Deb

November 14, 2006 07:40 AM | Link to this

Thank you for publishing this extremely important and well written series. People need to know what is and was happening in Ohio’s nuclear industry as well as the problems people struggle with trying navigate the complicated EEOICPA compensation program.

By Jodi Hingtgen

November 13, 2006 09:48 PM | Link to this

Is anyone keeping a central repository or database of people who worked at the Mound and have since died of unnatural causes? Anyone other than the government? My mother (Doris Hill) worked there between 1956 and 1963 and died of various cancers when she was only 42 and I was 16. NIOSH has so far denied my claims. Any information on people who worked there in the late 50’s and early 60’s would be be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Jodi

By Charles Driver

November 13, 2006 06:21 PM | Link to this

Just a note to say thanks for publishing the articles concerning the conditions of the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant. I have corresponded with Vina Colley for years and can verify, as a former worker in the Paduch Gaseous Diffusion plant and a victim of Heavy Metals Poisoning resulting in total disability, that all her information is correct and accurate. We were told the same lies in different plants for years, resulting in hard to diagnose illnesses that have destroyed our health.

By J

November 13, 2006 05:19 PM | Link to this

My dad worked at Y-12 in Oakridge. I say was because he contracted lung cancer and died. His work/medical records say he was exposed to uranium and radiation. It has been 4 years on the claim. It got to the final adjudication and the person in charge told my siblings and me that he was going to approve the claim. Five days later we received notice that it was going back to NIOSH reconstruction when the govt had already said that dose reconstruction could not be done. Go figure!

By Nelson

November 13, 2006 04:51 PM | Link to this

Having worked at the plant for over 40 years, I believe while there were problems, chain smoking and failure to use provided safety equipment caused many problems.

By Cindy

November 13, 2006 03:58 PM | Link to this

…and We The People pay for all of this.

By Terri Robson

November 13, 2006 01:32 PM | Link to this

The Piketon Site sounds like where The cartoon show the Simpsons got their idea from. As long as the American Government does not recognize the degree which it has poisoned not only the planet but, it’s own citizens and as long as the world leaders do not push for an accounting and retribution of these CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY as that is the only way to describe the actions nothing will ever get done or be resolved.

By Katelyn

November 13, 2006 11:55 AM | Link to this

As an EnvironmentalHealthNews.org regular, I read this excellent article right after this Washington Post piece on the legacy of Agent Orange in Vietnam: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/12/AR2006111201065.html.

It impresses me how we have caused great environmental (and thus HUMAN HEALTH) destruction at home and abroad, indiscriminately.

How can my generation ensure America stops repeating these mistakes?

By Greg

November 13, 2006 09:17 AM | Link to this

A very well reported story. It underlines the need for safe energy alternatives - most notably solar energy. Another interesting question would be - how is Utah or Nevada better managed? and what is the long term disposal plan? store it forever until it decays?

By Stephanie

November 13, 2006 07:37 AM | Link to this

Thank you for bringing these important issues to light!