RICHLAND — Officials say a total of 20 workers at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation have sought medical attention in the past two days after working near an area where waste from a leaking tank was being transferred.
KVEW-TV reported 13 of the workers reported having various symptoms after smelling suspicious odors. Officials say seven more sought a medical evaluation as a precaution.
Nineteen of the workers have been cleared to return to work while one was still being evaluated Friday afternoon.
Industrial hygiene workers gathered air samples and analyzed data, which they say found chemical concentrations well below regulatory standards. Chemical vapors are generated in the radioactive and chemical waste stored in the underground tanks.
Earlier this month, officials revealed that a tank known as AY-102 had leaked several thousand gallons of radioactive waste from its primary tank.
Talk to us
- You can tell us about news and ask us about our journalism by emailing newstips@heraldnet.com or by calling 425-339-3428.
- If you have an opinion you wish to share for publication, send a letter to the editor to letters@heraldnet.com or by regular mail to The Daily Herald, Letters, P.O. Box 930, Everett, WA 98206.
- More contact information is here.
