The Rocky Flats Plant where plutonium and other parts for nuclear weapons were once manufactured  (the Plant closed in 2005) is back prominently in the news. The title of one article by Electa Draper explains that workers who have one or more of twenty two listed cancers “…no longer have to reconstruct their own personal histories of radiation exposure in order to receive medical compensation.” Instead of being celebrated as a victory, the announcement seems to have angered people who are sick and worked at the Plant. One disturbing article by the same author shows pictures of some workers who are angry and has the bold print quote, “They just want us to die and go away.”

I do not intend to try to convince anyone who worked at Rocky Flats that their illnesses were not caused by exposures during that work, but I do want to present some pertinent facts. Chapter 22 of my book, “An Insider’s View of Rocky Flats, Urban Myths Debunked” discusses cancer and other diseases.The largest study of cancer rates among Rocky Flats workers that I’m aware of was completed over 20 years ago. The report concluded, “When compared with U.S. death rates, fewer deaths than expected were found for all causes of death, all cancers, and lung cancer. No bone cancer was observed. An excess of brain tumors was found.” The last observation was the result of comparing all malignant and non-malignant tumors found in Rocky Flats workers to only malignant tumors in the general population.  Some have speculated that the lower rate of cancers may be due to the prohibition on smoking in  many areas of the Plant.

For those who worry that Rocky Flats continues to create risks for people near the site, the State of Colorado has been studying that concern for years. A report they published about cancer risk to all residents says about 1 in 2 men and 2 in 5 women state-wide in Colorado, will be diagnosed with some form of cancer in their lifetimes. It is the leading cause of death in Colorado, and there are about 30,000 deaths from the disease each year. That is about 21% of the total deaths. If you worry about the added risk for Coloradoans because of Rocky Flats, put your mind at ease. The report said the highest risk is to a laborer working in the general vicinity of Rocky Flats, and that risk is the same as from fallout that is found all over the world. The risk is listed as 0.5 chances per one million residents. For comparison, the risk of dying from a lightning strike is 110 per million.

All of that is probably meaningless to a person who worked at Rocky Flats and has been told they have cancer. The recent media reports seem to encourage people to believe working there caused their illness. People are quoted as saying they were constantly lied to and the workers were expendable. That was not my experience. I was taught about the dangers of the place from the beginning and that safety of operations was our first priority. I received a written report about the amount of radiation exposure as recorded by my dosimeter each year.

The recent reports might lead people to believe Rocky Flats was a terrible place to work. That also was not my experience Patriotism was an important part of working at Rocky Flats. The reputation of the place was eroded by constant assault from those who did not like what we were doing. However, I felt respect for my fellow workers and pride at what we were able to do together despite adversity. Reading the articles and negative comments from some workers made me very sad.

I will close with thanks to a former Rocky Flats worker whose name I don’t recognize who wrote a letter to the editor of the Denver Post to say that after supporting all the negative stories they should give equal time to my book, or words to that effect.

Addendum by Ponderer:  I, too, was a long-time (22 years) worker at Rocky Flats; many of those years in the plutonium processing areas. I’ve personally held plutonium in my (gloved) hands. In my experience, health and safety of the workers was very important and I personally observed situations where important projects were delayed to allow more time to ensure safety. The government’s decision to make it easier for Rocky Flats workers to claim coverage for cancers seems both compassionate and practical; as a taxpayer, I bet it saves money compared to previous bureaucratic requirements to prove working at the plant caused the cancer.

I always thought the myths that surround Rocky Flats were spread by those who oppose manufacture of nuclear weapons under any circumstances (a position I understand and respect, even while disagreeing) and who felt their ends justified their means. I thought once the plant was demolished, the myths would fade away. But myths seem to have a life of their own. I hope the media will present the facts and the public will not be frightened by deceptions.

Addendum II by RF_Alum:  For those who live in the Denver metropolitan area, there will be a three day event at the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities June 6-8 titled “Rocky Flats Then and Now:  25 Years After the Raid.” I will be there to participate in a panel discussion.