Forum Scheduled to Discuss Hanford Chemical Vapors

Washington state Attorney General Bob Ferguson will speak at a meeting Wednesday to hear worker concerns and share information about tank vapors at the Hanford Site. The forum is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the union hall at 1328 N. 28^th Ave., Pasco. The meeting was organized by Hanford Challenge, Plumbers and Steamfitters Local 598, and Ferguson. The state of Washington, Hanford Challenge, and Local 598 are plaintiffs in a lawsuit in U.S. District Court for Eastern Washington against the Department of Energy and its tank farm contractor, Washington River Protection Solutions, seeking better protection of Hanford workers from chemical vapors associated with waste held in underground tanks. At the forum, workers and other community members are invited to share their experiences with tank vapors; a panel of experts will answer their questions, including about the risk vapors pose to workers. The panel will include a toxicologist, a public health advocate, a specialist in compensation programs, an attorney and public interest advocate, and a union leader, according to Hanford Challenge.