The 54-year-old McDermott, Ohio, resident was in Oak Ridge for a few days this week having medical tests that pertain to her struggle.
Colley's story begins in 1980 when she was hired as an electrician at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Piketon, Ohio. She described herself as a healthy, energetic and hard-working employee.
And, since she was given safety glasses and a hard hat to wear, Colley says she thought the job was safe. She says she later realized that was not true.
"I've been a victim," she said.
In 1981, while cleaning oil from drums with cloth rags, Colley says the oil splattered on portions of her neck and mouth -- resulting in a rash. It was determined that the oil contained polychlorinated biphenyl.
In 1983, she spent several months cleaning the insides of contaminated transformers without a respirator and applying trichlorethylene with a rag dipped from a five-gallon bucket. One day, Colley was hit in the face and neck with trichlorethylene and developed a rash.
Colley says she experienced several other health problems during this time including chronic fatigue, dizziness and numbness of the extremities. Following an examination, Colley says a doctor determined she had been exposed to hazardous chemicals.
Colley went on occupational leave from March 1983 to January 1984. When she returned to work, she was placed on restriction and had to wear paper coveralls, rubber gloves and paper shoes.
In 1985, Colley spent several months replacing cables in a building at the Portsmouth Plant. She said she noticed rashes developing all over her body at this time.
Shortly afterwards, Colley said she had a biopsy performed and suspect particles were discovered in her lungs. Then, traces of industrial fluoride were found in her urine. Colley was placed on worker compensation until June 20, 1987.
After an August 1987 doctor visit, three tumors were discovered in her stomach, Colley said. They were later removed.
Colley, who has filed safety complaints through the plant since 1983, says she has experienced a number of other medical problems. Those include numerous tumors, thyroid problems, chronic bronchitis, memory loss, depression and loss of hair, among others. She believes these conditions are related to her work at the Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant.
While in Oak Ridge this week, Colley says she was informed by her doctor, Oak Ridge pulmonologist Charles Bruton, that one of her blood tests showed signs of possible beryllium exposure. She said she plans to get tested again within a year.
Colley said she chose to see Bruton upon the recommendation of fellow sick worker Glenn Bell, who has chronic beryllium disease.
She currently takes between six to eight medications a day for her medical problems.
Colley is also very active in spreading the word about worker contaminations at federal nuclear facilities. She does a lot of work with the Downwinders and the Coalition for a Healthy Environment.
"We all need to work together," Colley said.
Colley
says that as long as she has a penny in her pocket and a breath to breathe,
she'll be around.
Comments:
Notice the fluoride in urine found.
