Paul L. Griego

Nickname: —

Employer during Enewetak Atoll Atomic Cleanup Mission: Department of Energy subcontractor Eberline Instrument Corporation

Rank: Civilian Supervisor

Job Title: Soil Sampling Supervisor, Eberline Instrument Corporation

Unit: Eberline Instrument Corporation

1st Enewetak Atoll TDY Tour: 4/11/1978 – 7/12/1978

Island Lived on at Enewetak Atoll: Enewetak

Islands Worked on at Enewetak Atoll: Enewetak, Enjebi, Lujor, Lojwa, Aomon, Boken, Kirunu, Bokombako, and Runit.

Description of Work Performed:

As a Sampling Operations Supervisor, my duties consisted of onsite operation and supervision of environment sampling and procedures. Handling of radioactive materials and environmental samples then using instrumentation in order to catalog, sort and package for further radionuclide analysis.

The environmental samples were collected onsite including at ground zero by me and my crew. Our sampling operation took us to approximately a dozen of Enewetak’s islands. These islands included Enewetak, Enjebi, Lojwa, Aomon, Boken and the most infamous of the islands, the permanently quarantined island of Runit. The site the ominous concrete containment dome we filled with radioactive waste.

I am one of the few civilians with “hands-on” participation in the Enewetak Atoll Atomic Cleanup Mission, I was only 20 years old. My Air Force crew of seven and I collected the soil samples mostly by hand without any protective gear, not even a pair of ordinary garden gloves. Having only limited knowledge, when I arrived at the contaminated islands with active cleanup operations, I was deceptively relieved to see that no one was wearing radiation protection. Not seeing any safety procedures in place, I wrongly believed this to mean the radiation was low and absent of any foreseen dangers. I also found even as a civilian I was wearing the very same uniform as the military; which consisted of a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Most of the personnel used their t-shirts as I did, as a towel and as a dust mask.

Health Challenges which may be related to Radiation Exposure: Yes

Comments about Health Challenges: My diagnosed medical conditions are all known to be caused by ionizing radiation. I have chronic intestinal problems diagnosed as small intestine bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) an overgrowth and alteration of the bacteria that colonized the small intestine. I’ve had numerous pre-cancerous skin growths removed throughout the years. Lipomas, benign tumors that consist mostly of fat cells, known to be caused by toxins the body is unable to process. My first pre-cancerous intestinal polyps were identified and removed due to bleeding from the rectum at age 39. I have osteopenia, with abnormal loss of bone density requiring treatment. My blood analysis appeared positive for Beryllium poisoning. My wife and I experienced fertility problems including my spouse’s miscarriages possibly from my chromosomal abnormalities caused by exposure to ionizing radiation. I also have had early Cataracts and Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD) vitreous gel pulling away from the retina. I do not have a family history of any of my maladies and I would otherwise be relatively healthy for my age.

Veterans Administration Health Assistance: Civilians are not eligible for VA healthcare

Experiences with the Veterans Administration:

Because I participated as a civilian, I do not have access to the VA Hospital or its healthcare. I was denied the EEOICPA screening program for Civilian Atomic workers. The Department of Energy does not recognize civilians that worked in the Failed Enewetak Atomic Mission as Atomic Workers. It is in the very same way the Veterans Administration doesn’t recognize the military as Atomic veterans. We were not forgotten or overlooked, for an unknown reason we were both spelled out and wrongfully excluded of recognition.

Most of my fellow patriots of the Enewetak Atoll Atomic Debris Cleanup Mission served while in our U.S. military and they have honorably received the Humanitarian Service Medal for their work in Enewetak. I am one of many civilians that also served and exposed myself to much of the same danger, hardships and the same radioactive exposures.

This is the information about the civilian equivalent:

“The Civilian Award for Humanitarian Service is presented by the Department of the Army to individuals who exemplified themselves with meritorious direct “hands-on” participation in an act or operation of a humanitarian nature. This award can be approved by any commander at the major Army command level or higher after the Secretary of Defense designates an operation or act to be of Humanitarian nature.”

Any assistance or guidance would be appreciated, thanks!

Current Residence: Albuquerque, NM

Contributions towards accomplishing Our Current Mission: