United Nuclear Corp.

Also Known As: Mallinckrodt Chemical Works, Chemicals Div.
State: Missouri
Location: Hematite
Time Period: AWE 1958-1973; Residual Radiation 1974-March 1, 2011
Facility Type: Atomic Weapons Employer

Facility Description

The United Nuclear Corporation in Hematite, Missouri, processed unirradiated uranium scrap for the AEC, recovering enriched uranium from it for use in the nuclear weapons complex. Mallinckrodt Chemical Works owned the Hematite plant until 1961.

During the period of residual contamination, as designated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and as noted in the dates above, employees of subsequent owners and operators of this facility are also covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

1. Introduction and Purpose
United Nuclear Corporation (UNC), located in Hematite, Missouri, manufactured uranium metal and uranium metal compounds from natural and enriched uranium for use as nuclear fuel. The facility became operational in 1956, initially producing uranium products for use in the naval fuel program. Specifically, the site was used to convert government-owned and leased uranium hexafluoride (UF6) gas of various uranium-235 (U-235) enrichments to uranium oxide, uranium carbide, uranium dioxide pellets, and uranium metal. These products were manufactured for use by the federal government and government contractors and by commercial and research reactors approved by the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC). Research and development was also conducted at the site, as were uranium scrap
recovery processes.

2. Background
From its inception in 1956 through 1974, the Hematite facility was used primarily in support of government contracts that required production of high-enriched uranium (HEU) products. From 1974 through the plant closure in 2001, the focus was on commercial fuel production. The Hematite plant used enriched uranium derived in part from recycled fuel, resulting in the potential for the presence of trace amounts of transuranic radionuclides, neptunium-237 (Np-237), plutonium-239/plutonium-240 (Pu-239/240), and americium-241 (Am-241). For an approximately nine-month period in 1964, UNC also blended thorium dioxide powder with uranium dioxide powder to produce fuel pellets for use in fuel assemblies for the Elk River Reactor (Pellet Plant Data, 1964; Swallow, 1963; Swallow, 1964a).

The primary source of the internal radiation exposure was deposition of alpha-emitting materials via inhalation and ingestion of airborne uranium and thorium (and progeny). Operations at the UNC-Hematite facility potentially would have resulted in external exposures primarily to uranium and uranium decay products.
*Source

Listing

United Nuclear Corp. is listed as an Atomic Weapons Employer (AWE) site under the EEOICPA.

Compensation

As of 05/31/2015, the total compensation paid under Part B of the EEOICPA, including medical compensation, for workers suffering from the effects of having worked at United Nuclear Corp. is $9,948,908.

United Nuclear Corp. Workers

If you or your parent worked at this or any other AWE facility and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $150K plus medical benefits from the US Department of Labor. Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-855-EEOICPA (336-4272) or fill out the form to the right, whether or not you have already filed a claim and even if your claim has been accepted or denied.

We can help with all OWCP (Federal Workers Compensation) claims, impairments, wage loss and health care. 2495 Main Street, Suite 442 Buffalo, NY.

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EEOICPA CLAIMS

If you or your parent worked any of the DOE or AWE facilities listed on this website and became ill, you may be entitled to compensation of up to $400K plus medical benefits from the US Department of Labor.

Call EEOICPA Counsel Hugh Stephens at 1-800-548-4494, email hstephens@stephensstephens.com, or fill out the form below whether or not you have already filed a claim and even if your claim has been accepted or denied.

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*note: Submission of this form does not establish an attorney-client privilege​.

Contact Us

Address:
2495 Main Street, Suite 442
Buffalo, New York 14214

Phone:
(716) 852-7590

Fax:
(716) 852-7599

After Hours:
(716) 208-3525

Email Us:
R. William Stephens, Esq.
R. Hugh Stephens, Esq.
Lisa P. Neff, Esq.

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