Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)

Also Known As: Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory
State: New Mexico
Location: Los Alamos
Time Period: 1942-present
Facility Type: Department of Energy

Facility Description

Operated by the University of California since its inception, Los Alamos National Laboratory designed, developed and tested the world’s first nuclear weapons. After World War II, Los Alamos (called the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory) continued as an important nuclear weapons research and development facility. Research programs included nuclear physics, hydrodynamics, chemistry, metallurgy, radiochemistry and life sciences. LANL also used its research facilities to back up other areas of the weapons production complex, particularly plutonium processing and fabrication of weapon components.

Throughout the course of its operations, the potential for beryllium exposure existed at this site, due to beryllium use, residual contamination, and decontamination activities.

Listing

Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is listed as a Department of Energy (DOE) site under the EEOICPA.

Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) Classes

The SEC classes for LANL include:
Employees of the Department of Energy (DOE), its predecessor agencies, or DOE contractors or subcontractors who were monitored or should have been monitored for radiological exposures while working in operational Technical Areas with a history of radioactive material use at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days from March 15, 1943 through December 31, 1975, or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort.

(Note: This class was established from Petition 51)

Employees of the DOE predecessor agencies and their contractors or subcontractors who were monitored or should have been monitored for exposure to ionizing radiation associated with radioactive lanthanum (RaLa) operations at Technical Area 10 (Bayo Canyon Site), Technical Area 35 (Ten Site), and Buildings H, Sigma, and U (located within Technical Area 1) for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days during the period from September 1, 1944, through July 18, 1963, or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more classes of employees in the SEC.

(Note: This class was established from Petition 61)

All employees of the Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and their contractors and subcontractors who worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in Los Alamos, New Mexico from January 1, 1976, through December 31, 1995, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort

(Note: This class was established from Petition 109)

All employees of the Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and their contractors and subcontractors who worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico from March 15, 1943 through December 31, 1975, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort.

(Note: This class was established from Petition 170)

History

The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) was founded in New Mexico during World War II to develop nuclear weapons. The scientific research at LANL, called the Manhattan Project, was carried out in secret and employed thousands of people including several Nobel Laureates. The research resulted in the making of several atomic devices two of which were used for nuclear attacks at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Following the end of the Cold War, the research carried out at LANL diversified to include scientific research in medicine, the development of cheaper and cleaner bio-fuels, and advancing knowledge regarding renewable energy. These humanitarian efforts continue to be a focus of LANL.

Compensation

As of 08/10/2015, the total compensation paid under Parts B and E of the EEOICPA, including medical compensation, for workers suffering from the effects of having worked at the Los Alamos National Laboratory is $582,648,596.

Los Alamos National Laboratory Workers

If you or your parent worked at this or any other DOE or AWE facility 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 1-855-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.

Videos

A personal history of LANL by Norris Edwin Bradbury (30 May 1909 – 20 August 1997), an American physicist who served as Director of the Los Alamos National Laboratory for 25 years from 1945 to 1970 can be seen below:

“Los Alamos From Below: Reminiscences 1943-1945,” by MED physicist and Nobel Laureate Richard Feynman can be heard below:

DOCUMENTS

NIOSH SEC Petition Evaluation Reports
Petition 51 (1943 – 1975)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report – Petition SEC-00051 – Report Rev # 0
Report Submittal Date 2-01-2007

SEC Petition Evaluation Report – Petition SEC-00051 – Report Rev # Addendum-1
Report Submittal Date 5-3-2007

SEC Petition Evaluation Report – Petition SEC-00051- Report Rev # Addendum-2
Report Submittal Date 6-04-2007

Petition 61 (Sep 1, 1944 to Jul 18, 1963)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report – Petition SEC-00061 – Report Rev #_08-18-06
Report Submittal Date _8/18/06

Petition 109 (Jan 1, 1976 to Dec 31, 2005)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report – Petition SEC-00109 – Report Rev #:1
Report Submittal Date: August 13, 2012

Petition 170 (Mar 15, 1943 to Dec 31, 1975)
SEC Petition Evaluation Report – Petition SEC-00170 – Report Rev #: 0
Report Submittal Date: April 26, 2010

Technical Basis Documents
Los Alamos National Laboratory – Introduction
Effective Date: 10/01/2007

Technical Basis Document for the Los Alamos National Laboratory – Site Description
Effective Date: 05/07/2004, Revision No.: 00

Los Alamos National Laboratory – Occupational Environmental Dose
Effective Date: 03/26/2010, Revision: 01

Los Alamos National Laboratory – Occupational Internal Dose
Effective Date: 04/18/2013, Revision: 02

Los Alamos National Laboratory – Occupational External Dose
Effective Date: 03/21/2013, Revision: 03

SC&A
Remaining Site Profile (TBD) Issues
March 10, 2017

SC&A’s Review of NIOSH’s Evaluation Report for Los Alamos National Laboratory Special Exposure Cohort Petition SEC-00109: Preliminary Issues – Availability of Bioassay Records and Adequacy of In-vivo Dosimetry
April 2010

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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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