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News
University of Iowa News Release
Jan. 6, 2006
UI Researchers To Examine Health Of Iowa Munitions Workers
Researchers in the University of Iowa College of Public Health are
beginning a new comprehensive health study to determine whether
conventional weapons workers at the Iowa Army Ammunition Plant (IAAAP)
near Burlington have elevated rates of death or adverse health effects
such as cancer compared to other workers.
The IAAAP Munitions Workers Study, a congressionally mandated study
funded by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), is being led by
principal investigator Laurence J. Fuortes, M.D., professor of
occupational and environmental health, and co-principal investigator R.
William Field, Ph.D., associate professor of occupational and
environmental health and epidemiology. It is one of the largest health
studies ever undertaken of workers in the U.S. munitions industry.
This study of DOD contract workers is separate from a Department of
Energy Former Worker Program at IAAAP, which provided health screenings
and compensation to employees adversely affected by their work with
atomic weapons at the plant. There is no compensation program associated
with the DOD study.
"The health of workers in the munitions industry has been a concern over
many years, yet relatively few studies have examined the health risks
associated with munitions work," Fuortes said. "Throughout the munitions
industry, workers are likely exposed to a variety of toxic agents,
including explosives, solvents, metals, depleted uranium, asbestos,
radiographic sources and numerous others."
The UI investigators will examine the mortality rates for former workers
at the Middletown, Iowa, munitions facility and compare them to both
state and federal reference populations. Similarly, researchers will
analyze Iowa cancer records to determine whether IAAAP workers are at
higher risk for overall cancer incidence as well as certain
site-specific cancers such as cancer of the lung, liver, trachea and
leukemia compared to unexposed workers.
"In some cases, workers at IAAAP may have been exposed to chemicals or
metals before it was clearly known that these substances had the
potential to cause adverse health outcomes," Fuortes said. "We
anticipate that this study will provide insights into whether or not the
work performed at IAAAP resulted in higher mortality or cancer incidence
rates in this population."
In addition, Fuortes said, some current and former workers at the IAAAP
have expressed concerns about potential exposure to beryllium, a hard,
lightweight metal widely used in industrial processes. Although
beryllium is not reported to have been a component in the production of
conventional munitions at IAAAP, beryllium-containing tools such as
hammers, punches, and chisels were in use prior to being phased out
beginning in 2002. Some IAAAP workers may have been exposed to beryllium
from grinding or sanding these tools, potentially putting them at risk
for a serious and sometimes fatal lung illness called chronic beryllium
disease.
As part of the beryllium study, the UI researchers will also test a
subset of current and former workers who represent different job
categories, work practices and job descriptions at IAAAP to assess
possible beryllium exposure, and to determine if cases of chronic
beryllium disease have occurred in the IAAAP workforce.
"Findings from this study may provide information on previously
unrecognized hazards at the IAAAP and at similar munitions facilities
operating over the same time period throughout the United States,"
Fuortes said.
The IAAAP is located about 10 miles west of Burlington in southeast
Iowa. Employment at the 19,000-acre facility currently stands at
approximately 850, but it is estimated that the workforce, servicing
conventional weapons' lines, varied from approximately 15,000 around
World War II, to about 7,500 during the Korean conflict, to 5,500 during
the Vietnam conflict. Employment at IAAAP remained around 2,000 through
most of the 1980s.
Built between 1941 and 1943, the IAAAP has produced conventional missile
warheads and a variety of large caliber tank ammunitions, mines,
mortars, artillery, demolition charges and weapons' component parts. In
addition, it is designated as the Midwest Area Demilitarization Facility
for disposing of old and/or obsolete ammunition.
In 1947, the IAAAP was designated as the first plant in the nation to
assemble atomic weapons for the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). For
nearly three decades, conventional and nuclear weapons were manufactured
at the plant under separate U.S. DOD and AEC contracts. In 1975,
production of nuclear weapons was terminated and transferred to
Amarillo, Texas.
For questions about the IAAAP Munitions Workers Study, please call toll free 1-877-654-2227. Additional information about the study can be found online at www.iowamunitionsworkersstudy.org
STORY SOURCE: University of Iowa College of Public Health Office of Communications, 4257 Westlawn, Iowa City, Iowa 52242.
MEDIA CONTACT: Dan McMillan, 319-335-6835, daniel-mcmillan@uiowa.edu
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