were “quite typical of the cyclotron cataracts, and the type I saw in
Hiroshima.” Claimant was reexamined by the ophthalmologist on November
13, 1957, at which time the visual acuity of the right eye was found to be
reduced. In a letter commenting upon this examination, the doctor stated:

PRIVACY ACT MATERIAL REMOVED

The posterior sub-capsular cataract in the right eye has the bivalve
appearance which is so characteristic of radiation cataracts. Therefure, tt
doesn’t seem to be much doubt that he has radiation cataracts.
On April 16, 1959, claimant was examined by a medical doctor at the
request of the State Compensation Insurance Fund. He determined that there
was no doubt that claimant had bilateral cataracts, more marked in the right
eye than in the left. and that the cataracts were of the location and appearance

associated with radiation cataracts. He advised that while these cataracts can

occur without radiation and while claimant's record of exposure was very low,
the situation was “highly supgestive” in view of claimant’s work, and that he
“has developed a cataract which appears to be a radiation cataract in an age
group in which the ordinary so-called senile cataracts do not develop.” He

CHAPTER IV
DIGEST OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF LASOR AND
EMPLOYMENT URANIUM MINER LUNG CANCER CASES
(Nos. 51 - 55)
CASE NO. 51

further stated, “it is my impression that one would have to accept these

v Carl Tucker and/or Union Carbide Corp.

cataracts as being due to radiation in fight of the factors mentioned.” On June
13, 1961, the right eye was operated on for this condition. Cataract surgery on
the left eye was performed on November 28, 1961.
Findings of the Referee. The State Compensation Insurance Fund accepted the
case in May 1959 on the basis of its conclusion that the cataracts resulted from
exposure to radiation at the laboratory.

Claim No. WC 2-003-064; SF 160441

Type of Injury. Epidermoid carcinoma, left upper lobe: carcinoma oat cell,
right upper lobe with metastasis, ribs, vertebral column and liver.
Colorado Decision: Compensation Granted.
Date of Decision: 1967.

Claimant's Allegation. That deceased’s lung cancer was contfacted as a result of
exposure to radon gas in uranium mining.
Facts: The claimant’s husband became ill on or about August 10, 1966, was

thereupon admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of malignancy of the jung
and expired on August 16, 1966, only one week after the diagnosis of his
condition. The widow timely filed her claim for compensation benefits.
Evidence indicated that for approximately 37 years prior to his death the
deceased smoked on an average of one pack of cigarettes per day and that he
did inhale. The deceased had two brothers who also died of lung cancer as a
result of employment in uranium mining.
The deceased's occupational history showed that there were 26 years from

first exposure to radiation in uranium-vanadium minesand his death from lung

cancer at age 54. His last employment in the mines was with the respondent
employer, Union Carbide Corporation, from December, 1960 to May, 1962,
approximately one and one half years. He stopped mining about four years
before his death. From 1962 until his death in 1966, the deceased worked on a

cattle and sheep ranch.

162

Deceased was a member of the uranium miner study group of the
Occupational Health Program of the U.S. Public Health Service. The medical
163

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