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Former Piqua nuclear workers could benefit from petition

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By Tom Beyerlein, Staff Writer 6:16 PM Friday, January 16, 2009

A federal agency has agreed to explore whether people who worked at a nearly forgotten nuclear reactor here in the 1960s should be granted a special status that would make it easier for them to get compensation and medical benefits if they develop cancers that can be caused by radiation exposures.

A division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced today, Jan. 16, that it will evaluate a petition filed by former workers at the Piqua Organic Moderated Reactor. If the department's National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health approves the petition, ailing reactor employees wouldn't have to prove their cancers were work-related to get federal compensation under a special program for atomic workers.

The special status would cover Piqua reactor workers employed from Jan. 1, 1963 through Dec. 31, 1966, who worked around and within the reactor dome.

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2000 or flastname@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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