The first potential chemical vapors incident of the new year at the Hanford Site’s radioactive waste storage tank farms was reported Wednesday. Nine workers at the Department of Energy site in Washington state reported odors near worker trailers outside the AP Tank Farm, and were told to leave the area, according to tank farm contractor Washington River Protection Solutions (WRPS). Workers are required to use supplied air respirators within the tank farms, but were having a pre-job briefing about 200 yards east of the AP Tank Farm fence line when they detected the odors. Workers likened the odors to rotten eggs, sulfur, or onions.
All nine workers declined preliminary medical evaluations, according to WRPS. They had no symptoms consistent with tank vapor exposure, such as coughing or a metallic taste in their mouths. Industrial hygiene technicians collected samples after the odors were reported. After analyses of the samples found no chemicals above background levels, workers were allowed to return to the area.
In 2016, more than 50 workers received medical evaluations for possible exposure to chemical vapors after smelling suspicious odors, experiencing symptoms, or being in areas where other workers reported symptoms or odors. All were released by the Hanford occupational medical provider to return to work. Workers are concerned that exposure to chemical vapors associated with waste in underground tanks could lead to serious neurological or respiratory illnesses. DOE has spent $50 million in the past two years to improve vapors protection at Hanford.
