On May 9, 2024 a group of 9 UC Education and Research Center students and faculty visited the Fernald Preserve Visitors Center in Hamilton, Ohio. The group learned about the history of the Fernald nuclear industrial site and what is now Fernald Preserve. A walking tour provided an opportunity to understand the previous expanse of the site. Dr. Anne Like, presented on the complexities of the Fernald Workers Medical Monitoring Program Director. Below are summaries of the trip written by the UC ERC students that participated.

Overview of Fernald Preserve

By Erin Clark

The Fernald Preserve is a 1050-acre nature and wildlife preserve in Hamilton Ohio that was completed in 2006 (DOE, 2024). It is the former site of the Fernald Feed Material Production Center which manufactured uranium-based material for nuclear weapons from 1951-1989 (DNFSB, 2024). During the Cold War era, this facility served as a haven for the American dream of the working-class rural Ohioan. Despite excellent wages and job security, Fernald workers were being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation that would later prove to increase their risk of various diseases including cancer (UC, 2024). Facility operations were abruptly halted in 1989 by the Department of Energy due to increasing concern for the health and safety of workers and the surrounding community (DNFSB, 2024). As part of the ecological reconstruction, in depth soil and water monitoring is continuously performed (DOE, 2024). While a plume of uranium contaminated water remains under the Fernald Preserve site to this day, sophisticated water monitoring and purification systems remove the contaminants and return the water to the greater body in pristine condition (DOE, 2024). Due to pressure from the community and litigation, a medical surveillance program was established to screen both residents of the local area and Fernald workers for radiation induced health problems including cancer (UC, 2024). While the residential program has concluded, the Fernald workers medical surveillance program continues with the promise of providing medical screening exams typically on an annual basis until the last worker passes away. As an Occupational Medicine physician, I found this site visit to the Fernald Preserve to be quite captivating as it speaks to the important connection between work and health. It also illustrates the critical nature of occupational health and safety standards and the duty at hand to provide workers with high quality job education and protection from hazards.

References

DOE. (2024). Fernald Preserve, Ohio, Site. Energy.gov. https://www.energy.gov/lm/fernald-preserve-ohio-site

DNFSB. (2024). Defense Nuclear Facilities Safety Board. Fernald Closure Project . https://www.dnfsb.gov/doe-sites/fernald-closure-project#:~:text=The%20site’s%20production%20mission%20began,site%20was%20completed%20in%202006.

UC. (2024). History of the Fernald Plant and Litigation. https://med.uc.edu/docs/default-source/environmental-health-docs/research/fcc/history-of-the-fernald-site-and-litigation.pdf?sfvrsn=64bdf1e8_2

Walking Tour of Fernald Preserve

By Efosa Obariase & Frank Harris

Nestled in the heart of Ohio lies a remarkable testament to nature's resilience and mankind's capacity for redemption. Fernald Preserve, once a site of uranium processing, has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a symbol of industrial exploitation to a haven for wildlife and conservation. Recently, we had the privilege of embarking on a walking tour of this extraordinary preserve, guided by Francine and Jake, resolute stewards of this ecological sanctuary.

As we set out from the trailhead, I could not help but feel a sense of awe at the juxtaposition of nature's beauty against the backdrop of its industrial past. The lush greenery and vibrant wildlife could tell nothing of its dark history. Staff within the Office of Legacy Management offered insights into the preserve's transformation and the ongoing efforts to rehabilitate its ecosystems. Their knowledge and dedication were evident as they shared stories of the challenges faced and the victories achieved in reclaiming the land from its industrial legacy.

The innovative restoration techniques employed at Fernald Preserve were the result of collaborative research conducted with academic institutions like the University of Cincinnati and government agencies. Through a combination of habitat restoration, native species reintroduction, ground water treatment and water quality management, the preserve is now a thriving ecosystem that supports a diverse array of wildlife. The high point of the tour was the climb to the top of one of the nine containment cells. From this vantage point, we were able to we see the water processing station, wetlands teeming with birdlife and the vastness of the restored landscape stretched out before us, a powerful symbol of nature's resilience.

In a world facing unprecedented environmental challenges, places like Fernald Preserve serve as reminders of our responsibility to protect and preserve the natural world. Through dedication, innovation, and a commitment to sustainability, we can create a brighter future for generations to come. Support for this tour was from the University of Cincinnati Education Research Center (ERC).

Fernald Workers Medical Monitoring Program Presentation by Dr. Anne Like

By Hannah Frame and Angie Theil

The Education Research Center (ERC) student group that visited the Fernald Preserve on Thursday May 9, 2024, had the distinct pleasure of hearing a presentation from Dr. Anne Like, the Fernald Workers Medical Monitoring Program (FWMMP) Director. Dr. Like completes annual examinations on those who worked at the Fernald plant between 1952 and 1986. There are approximately 1,200 workers still living, 300 of whom complete these visits. Dr. Like discussed the many types of cancer that workers at Fernald may develop, with the most common types being pancreatic, colon, renal, lung, and skin. Dr. Like also spoke about the Site Exposure Matrix (SEM), a tool showing all sites, accompanying exposures, and disease outcomes. With this exposure analysis, the National Institute for Safety and Health (NIOSH), developed a dose reconstruction program to try to demonstrate the amount of radiation that each worker received.

The Fernald Workers Medical Monitoring Program began in 1995 after a civil action case settlement. This legal settlement detailed a plan for medical monitoring for both residents within a 5-mile radius of the Fernald work site, as well as the workers during the plant’s production years and those workers who participated in clean-up efforts. Medical monitoring and claims processing are different for each of these populations and can be difficult to navigate. The COVID pandemic posed unique challenges for the medical monitoring program, however Dr. Like implemented a pandemic protocol. This protocol allowed for a more thorough medical and occupation history of these workers over the phone. Dr. Like mentioned that her favorite part of the monitoring process is the interactions and stories that she hears from Fernald workers. Each worker has a unique story and perspective. She spoke about how many workers speak fondly of their time as Fernald employees, despite the negative health outcomes that they may now be experiencing. As COVID-19 restrictions and claims challenges presented themselves, the connection that Dr. Like forged with this group allowed her to persevere and fight for examination space and continued support for the FWMMP, despite it being considered a declining program because of decreased enrollment with aging workers and deaths. Lessons can be learned from the history and continued efforts of the FWMMP detailing the importance and complexities of long-term medical monitoring for those workers exposed to occupational hazards.

Thank you to the professionals at Fernald Preserve for providing a great learning experience for the UC ERC students and faculty! To learn more about the Fernald Preserve, visit the website.