Two more Hanford tank workers were taken to the hospital Wednesday after developing symptoms believed linked to tank vapors. Four workers also were evaluated by the Hanford medical provider, HPMC Occupational Medical Services, after reporting symptoms. It was the second day in a row and the third day in the last two weeks that workers have reported symptoms linked to chemical vapors from the Hanford underground waste tanks. Data collection and analysis are underway in the affected tank farms to understand what happened and what could be done to reduce the likelihood of future occurrences, according to Washington River Protection Solutions.
Workers smelled vapors in the T Tank Farm Wednesday. Earlier reports were of chemical vapors in the S and the combined AY and AZ tank farms. Three workers evaluated by HPMC Wednesday were employed by contractors or subcontractors other than WRPS and reported possible symptoms after working near the AZ and AY tank farms a day earlier. Workers taken to the hospital Wednesday were released later in the day and all workers that were evaluated by HPMC were cleared to return to work.