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CHAIRMAN:
Paul L. Ziemer, Ph.D.
Lafayette, Indiana

ERS:

Henry A. Anderson, M.D.
Madison, Wisconsin

Roy L. DeHart, M.D., M.P.H.
Nashville, Tenn

Richard L. Espinosa
Espanola, New Mexico

Michael H. Gibson
Franklin, Ohio

Mark A. Griffon
Salem, New Hampshire

James M. Melius, M.D., Ph.D.
Albany, New York

Wanda |. Munn.
Richland, Washington

Charles L. Owens
Paducah, Kentucky

Robert W. Presley
Clinton, Tennessee

Genevieve S. Roessler, Ph.D.
Elysian, Minnesota

STAFF:
(ECUTIVE. TARY:
Lewis V. Wade, Ph.D
Washington, DC

COMMITTEE MANAGEMENT :

LaShawn D. Shields
Atlanta, Georgia

ADVISORY BOARD ON RADIATION AND WORKER HEALTH
1 as Gn56 46 wey 64676 Columbia Parkway, MS: C-46
OPiceOF THE secreTARY Cincinnati, Ohio 45226

CORRESPONDENCE
CONTROL CENTER (513) 533-6825

July 26, 2005

The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20201

Dear Mr. Secretary:

The Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health (The Board) has
evaluated SEC Petition -00018, 00026, and portions of Petition 00028 under
the statutory requirements established by EEOICPA and incorporated into
42 CFR Sec. 83.13 (c) (1) and 42 CFR Sec. 83.13 (c) (3). The Board
respectfully recommends a Special Exposure Cohort be accorded to all
Department of Energy (DOE), DOE contractor or subcontractors, or AWE
employees who worked in uranium enrichment operations or other
radiological activities at the Y-12 facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee from
March 1943 through December 1947 and whom were employed for a
number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either
solely under this employment , or in combination with work days of
employment occurring within the parameters (excluding aggregate work day
requirements) established for other classes of employees included in the
SEC. This recommendation is based on four specific factors:

e The Y-12 facility during this time period was one of the earliest sites
involved in the production of nuclear weapons and was constructed and
operated during a time when radiation control and monitoring methods
were still being developed.

¢ Monitoring data as well as information on sources of radiation exposures
and process information are insufficient for adequate individual dose
reconstruction for the time period involved. In particular, information
needed for dose reconstruction on the calutron operations, an important
source of exposure, is incomplete.

e There is inadequate information necessary for individual dose
reconstruction on other radiological activities during this time period
including the development of beneficial radiological isotopes,
development and testing of a neutron monitor, maintenance and use of a
large Radium 226 sealed source, and thorium extraction.


*** RECEIVED ***
Aug 01,2005 09:56:46 WS# 06
OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY

The Honorable Michael O. Leavitt CORRESPONDENCE July 26, 2005

e In its evaluation report, NIOSH has concluded that it is likely that radiation doses for this group
of workers at Y-12 Plant during this time period could have endangered the health of members of
this class. The Board concurs.

Based on these considerations, and on the discussions and deliberations at our July 5-7, 2005 Board
meeting, the Board recommends that this Special Exposure Cohort petition be granted.

Enclosed is supporting documentation from the Advisory Board Meeting held July 5 -7, 2005 in St.
Louis, Missouri. This documentation includes transcripts of public comments on the petition, copies
of the petition and the NIOSH review thereof, and related documents distributed by NIOSH and the
petitioners. If any of these items are unavailable at this time, they will follow shortly.

Sincerely,

ZA ZO

Paul L. Ziemer, Chairman
Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health

Enc.