Conference turris::scandia

171.0. "Danish crash workers complain of radiation effects" by TLE::SAVAGE (Neil, @Spit Brook) Fri Dec 05 1986 09:15

Associated Press Thu 04-DEC-1986 20:20                      Denmark-Radiation

            Inquiry Starts on 1968 Nuclear Cleanup from U.S. Crash
    
    COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) - Authorities have begun investigating whether
    some workers who helped clean up after the 1968 crash of a U.S. B-52
    bomber in Greenland are suffering from radiation poisoning, the
    government said Thursday. "If it turns out they are suffering from
    radiation sickness, they will of course be compensated," said Hans
    Michael Kofoed Hansen, secretary to the prime minister. 
    
    The plane, a strategic bomber carrying four hydrogen bombs,
    crash-landed near the American Thule base in northern Greenland. Some
    of the bombs broke apart on impact, spreading highly radioactive
    plutonium over a wide area. 
    
    About 1,400 Americans, 100 Danes and 10 Greenlanders took part in the
    cleanup operation in which 14.8 million gallons of radioactive snow was
    scraped off the ice cap, sealed in drums and shipped to the United
    States. Some of the Danes who participated in the nuclear cleanup have
    complained of skin diseases, breathing disorders, loss of hair and
    other illnesses which they claim were caused by exposure to radiation. 
    
    In 1968, Danish experts at the crash site declared there was no
    radiation danger for the cleanup workers. Until now, Danish authorities
    had rejected calls for an investigation. 
    
    Greenland is a semi-autonomous territory under the Danish crown.