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Former nuclear plant worker sues over cancer |
| A former operator at the uranium enrichment plant at Valindaba, west of Pretoria, believes he contracted multiple myeloma (cancer of the blood plasma) while on duty and is thus entitled to workman's compensation. Tilman Roux (62) claimed that the cancer might be related to his being exposed to radiation while he worked at the plant about 30 years ago. The Compensation Commissioner (CC), however, earlier turned down Roux's application on the ground that his illness was not work-related. On Tuesday, Roux will head for the Pretoria High Court for an order to either declare that he is entitled to compensation or to force the CC to properly consider his application. Roux also wants the Nuclear Energy Corporation of SA (Necsa) to make information available to the office of the CC to enable it to investigate the circumstances under which he worked at the plant. These include the radiation levels in the plant during the time he worked there, as well as records of all incidents and accidents relevant to his claim. Roux said he was diagnosed with cancer last year and was told by his doctor that it might be related to exposure to ionising radiation. He said his only exposure to such radiation was when he was employed at Valindaba between 1974 and 1982. "My condition has steadily worsened from June last year and I am now experiencing excruciating pain, for which I require high doses of morphine. "I was advised by my doctor that my condition will become terminal unless I receive immediate treatment in the form of chemotherapy and stem cell transplant," Roux stated in court papers. By Zelda Venter The Star 19/12/08e4 Click here to respond to this article - Your responses will get vetted and printed on "Have your Say" |
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