The Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (Necsa) has launched an investigation into claims that former employees of the Pelindaba nuclear facility contracted serious diseases after being exposed to radiation, The Star newspaper reported on Monday.
Some of the workers — who worked at the facility outside Pretoria in the 1980s and 1990s — have lung cancer and other cancers, serious neurological disorders, and have suffered miscarriages.
Their plight came to the fore after an occupational health expert found that out of a sample of 23 former Pelindaba workers, 10 showed signs of having been exposed to hazardous substances ”which could cause adverse health effects”.
More than 200 former Pelindaba employees had asked Earthlife to help them get their medical files, the report said.
Two of the workers could have had possible exposure to radiation.
The study, commissioned by the environmental watchdog Earthlife Africa, also found that there were no follow-up medical examinations of former Necsa employees.
”More people (ex-Pelindaba employees) have come forward, with diseases like lung cancer, serious neurological disorders, miscarriages and other forms of cancer,” explained Mashile Phalane, co-ordinator for Earthlife Africa.
More than 200 former Pelindaba employees had asked Earthlife to help them get their medical files from Necsa, and compensation in terms of the Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases Act, Phalane said.
Last week, Earthlife Africa was embroiled in a public spat with the government for saying that radioactive ores were ”deliberately” buried at a site outside Pelindaba.
The National Nuclear Regulator denied it was a dumping site. However, Earthlife maintained it had correctly identified the site as a calibration facility.
Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said in response that the government intended to pass legislation to make it a punishable offence to spread allegations which resulted in unnecessary panic or incitement. – Sapa