Letter: Misleading statements made about investigation into Hanford worker exposure

Recent letters to the editor by Dr. Steve Baker and Dr. Antone L. Brooks concerning the McClatchy investigation into radiation exposure are very misleading.

Some of the entries I was involved with were into unknown conditions much like the PFP — entries that are trying to be completed. Some of these jobs and tasks resulted in buried dosimetry from the exposures way above expected radiation. Myself and other workers wore state-of-the-art PPE/bubble suits and supplied air, but took in more radiation than what was ever predicted. A few unplanned trips to bio-assay for monitoring had to be completed.

I wonder how Dr. Baker and Dr. Brooks have obtained worker exposure records to determine if workers seldom receive doses above the regulatory limits, or in excess of background radiation exposures? Did their statements refer to nonradiation workers, radiation workers or both? How accurate are worker dosimetry records is another story that needs to be investigated.

The McClatchy investigation is spot on.

This story was originally published February 21, 2016 at 11:37 PM with the headline "Letter: Misleading statements made about investigation into Hanford worker exposure."