Medical Monitoring: A Beneficial Remedy for Residents Living Near an Environmental Hazard Site

Objective: People living close to an environmental hazard site may suffer health harms from real or perceived contaminant exposures. In class-action litigation, medical monitoring is a potential remedy that has been allowed in some Jurisdictions but not others. From 1952 to 1989, a US Department of Energy uranium metal plant near Fernald, Ohio, released ionizing radiation and uranium particulates into the surrounding community. Methods: Settlement of litigation between nearby residents and the Department of Energy resulted in an 18-year medical monitoring program (N = 9775), which focused on general health promotion rather than effects of uranium. Results: Participation was higher than projected, decreases in common risk factors (cholesterol and blood pressure) and deaths from cancer have been observed. Conclusions: These data support the appropriateness of comprehensive medical monitoring as a remedy for people affected by defined sources of environmental contaminants. (J Occup Environ Med. 2009,51:1374-1383)