DOE IG reviewing Hanford chemical vapor protection

The Department of Energy Office of Inspector General has started a review of DOE’s actions to address concerns about exposure to chemical vapors at the Hanford tank farms.

Investigators met Tuesday with DOE Hanford officials to discuss the scope of the review and any matters Hanford officials wanted to discuss. Fieldwork by investigators is planned to start June 6, according to a memo from the DOE Office of Inspector General to DOE environmental cleanup officials..

“This is a good step toward providing the workers at Hanford with some assurance that someone is looking out for their safety,” said Ron Wyden, D-Ore., in a statement. He made public the Office of Inspector General memo on Tuesday.

This spring about 50 Hanford workers have received medical evaluations for possible exposure to chemical vapors. Some had respiratory symptoms, some smelled a suspicious odor and others were checked because they were in the vicinity when vapors were suspected.

Workers are concerned that exposure to chemical vapors from Hanford waste stored in underground tanks could put them at risk for serious health problems long term.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 5:17 PM with the headline "DOE IG reviewing Hanford chemical vapor protection."