15-member board to deal with claims from nuclear facilities in 45 states
A federal advisory board designed to help workers sickened while working at former nuclear weapons facilities in the United States, including Rocky Flats west of Denver, get compensation and medical benefits will meet for the first time this week.
The 15-member Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health will meet Tuesday through Thursday in Washington D.C.
The board was established last year to help reduce the red tape faced by workers who are due compensation under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act of 2000, which covers former nuclear weapons facilities in 45 states.
During the Cold War, approximately 600,000 people were employed at atomic weapons program facilities across the nation, where they were unknowingly exposed to radioactive and toxic substances.
“For years, Rocky Flats workers have fought for the healthcare and compensation they earned during their service to our county,” U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter said in a news release. “This advisory board will improve transparency and consistency in the program and help reduce the endless red tape these workers currently face.”
The advisory board is made up of five members from the scientific community, five from the medical community and five from the claimant community, two of whom worked at Rocky Flats.
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