Pinellas Plant

Target eight investigation. They worked in a factory in pinellas county a factory that produced triggers for nuclear weapons. Now as it turns out a factory that produced cancer and its workers. Despite his pledge to help senior investigative reporters do then -- found during their hour of need. Many of these -- workers feel abandoned by the government they served.

Jim would die from brain cancer just over a year ago barely enough time for what I -- I have the most wonderful father in the world hardly enough time for -- Happy to comprehend her family's loss and help her mother prepare for battle with the government. For nearly two years Jim would photos cancer he died in 2006.

I watched you know my father this athletic guy who can do anything. Go from that you not being able to hardly speak or understand or walk.

Good work of the G plant in largo from 1982 to 97. He was one of thousands of workers around the country who helped produce nuclear weapons during the Cold War years in pinellas workers assembled triggers for nuclear weapons the government determined nuclear weapons workers developed cancer from exposure to radioactive and toxic chemicals at 290. Facilities. Congress passed a law to cover their medical benefits and provide a lump -- 150000. Dollar payment to -- should I catch prove your job caused your cancer. Where recess to get that information from some of us don't know what we're exposed if we did nor reward worth the price picture that we had no idea what awards -- jobs were classified. Employees were forbidden to discuss what went on inside he would always say is not allowed to insanity is doing only now is the truth coming out. Point two different type of cancer have been -- at that plant according to records the government is investigating more than 1000 cases involving former workers who contend exposure on the job caused -- cancer. But at this top secret facility no one bothered to keep records showing what deadly chemicals Jim -- came into contact with. So the national institute for occupational safety and health asked him. And sent him a list of chemicals at the site kind of bowed thing and and Jimmy didn't even know an attack. -- those chemical name's Jim -- worked on the Hazmat team -- the pinellas plant only now is his widow learning key cleaned up but tritium -- Tritium a radioactive material. Did you. Or GM. Has any idea. What he was being exposed. -- actually not that we had. No protector. Equipment to speak out the Department of Labor decides who gets benefits they decided exposure caused Jim woods thyroid problems not his brain cancer. But the government says it's not responsible are you buying and known and then they're telling us.

we've reconstructed this dose for you for the brain which became human tests done and we're denying the claim. Mean. Sort it. It's families as Jim we're trying to stay if he needed to his daughter brands well enough to the end it's worrying more about his family. And --

We're like we're fine you know don't worry about -- us. We love you and bring you do what's right near me.

And all this letter written by Jim what's doctor says any exposure to I. I analyzing levels of radiation would increase the risk of developing the rare form of brain cancer. That killed Jim ward. The Department of -- is taking that letter under advisement according to an apartment labor web site. The government has provided benefits to only 79 former employees at the cannabis plant. US senator Charles Schumer from New York is demanding a full investigation of this program -- Schumer contention. That the Bush Administration and the Department of Labor are in cahoots to limit pay. Payouts to nuclear weapons workers sickened by radiation and toxic chemicals. Inspector general for the Department of Labor confirms it is looking into the allegations that Cold War heroes are not getting the support they need. And the compensation they deserve. Tonight at eleven a struggle to survive a struggle for compensation. And the struggle to get the attention of congressman --

You -- Steve thank you this is a story Steve has developed over several months. If you want to read how I came about and some of the research that went into as you can log on the TVO dot common reads Steve's blog just enter keyword. Cancer factory.