Energy Department report on Hanford beryllium program finds improvements but weaknesses

Report: Hanford beryllium program has weaknesses

RICHLAND, Wash. — An Energy Department review has concluded that a program for protecting workers from a toxic metal at the nation’s most contaminated nuclear site has a number of weaknesses and could have been implemented more quickly.

However, the review released Wednesday also found the beryllium program is an improvement over past practices.

Beryllium was used in the production of reactor fuel at south-central Washington’s Hanford nuclear reservation, and dust remains in some buildings.

Worker safety groups have raised concerns that the 11,900 people who currently work at Hanford have not been adequately protected from the metal.

More than 150 workers have been diagnosed with sensitivity to beryllium, or chronic beryllium disease, a lung disorder.