ADVISORY HOARD ON RADIAllONAND WORKER REALm 4676 Colum1iaParkway,MS: C-46 Cincinnati, Ohio 45226
(513)533-6825
January17,2007
CHAIRMAN: Paul L. ZIemer, Ph.D. Lafayette, Indiana
MEMBERS: Bradley P. Clawson Rexburg,ldaho Michael H. Gibson Franklin, Ohio
Mark A. Griffon
The HonorableMichael O. Leavitt Secretary Health and HumanServices of Department Healthand HumanServices of 200 Independence Avenue,S.W. Washington.DC 20201 Dear Mr. Secretary: The Advisory Board on Radiationand Worker Health (The Board) has evaluatedSECPetition-00049 concerningworkersat the Monsanto ChemicalCompanyin Dayton,Ohio underthe statutoryrequirements established EEOICPA and incorporated by into 42 CFR Sec.83.13 and42 CFR Sec.83.14. The Board respectfullyrecommends SpecialExposure a Cohort (SEC) be accorded all Atomic Weapons to Employees who were monito~ or shouldhavebeenmonitoredfor radiation,while working at MonsantoChemicalCompanyUnits I, III, or IV in Dayton,Ohio for a numberof work daysaggregating least250 work daysduring the period at of January1, 1943to December 1949,or in combinationwith work 31, dayswithin the parameters established other classes employees for of includedin the SEC. The Boardnotesthat althoughNIOSH found that they were unableto completelyreconstruct radiationdosesfor these employees, they believethat they are ableto reconstruct components the of internaldose(i.e., polonium exposures) externaldose(with the and exceptionof neutronexposures), thereforeindividuals with nonand presumptive cancers may be considered partial dosereconstructions. for This recommendation basedon the following factors: is
Salem, New Hampshire James E. Lockey, M.D. Cincinnati, Ohio
James M. Melius, M.D., Ph.D. Albany, New York Wanda I. Munn Richland, Washington
John W. Poston, Sr., Ph.D. College Station, Texas Robert W. Presley Clinton, Tennessee
Genevieve S. Roessler, Ph.D. Elysian, Minnesota
STAFF:
EXECUTIVE SECRETARY:
Lewis V. Wade, Ph.D Washington, DC
.
COMMITTEE
MANAGEMENT:
LaShawn D. Shields Attanta, Georgia
Peopleworking in the abovelisted areasof the Monsanto ChemicalCompanyin Dayton,Ohio were exposed polonium, to thorium, uranium,andother radioactivecompounds while working on nuclearweapons production. In reviewing the available monitoring and otherdatafor theseoperations, NIOSH found that for workersin Units I, III or IV at this facility, it did not have access sufficient information, including personnel to dosimetry, workplacemonitoring data,or sufficient process radiological and sourceinformation,that would allow it to estimatewith sufficient accuracy externalexposures neutronsand internal doses the to to radionuclides otherthanpolonium. The Board concurswith this detennination.
The Honorable Michael o. Leavitt
Jan. 17,2007
.
NIOSH detenninedthat healthmay havebeenendangered the workersexposed for to radiatio~in the abovelisted areasof the MonsantoChemicalCompanyin Dayton,Ohio within the time period in question.The Board concurswith this determination.
Enclosedis supportingdocumentation from the recentAdvisory Board Meeting held in Naperville, Illinois andthe Jan~ 11,2007 conference wherethis specialexposure call cohortwas discussed. If any of theseitems are unavailableat this time, they will follow shortly.
Sincerely,
v"'~~~"..
Paul L. lJemer, P~.Q.
~
Chai~
Enc.