In 1993, the U.S. Congress enacted Public Law 102-484, Section 3162, directing the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to initiate a program to evaluate the health of DOE former workers who may have been exposed to hazardous substances at work. As a result, DOE created the Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP) to offer medical screening exams at no cost to all interested and eligible former DOE federal, contractor, and subcontractor workers who may have been exposed to toxic substances and hazardous conditions while working at a DOE site or a covered DOE-related contractor site.
The FWP is implemented through four regional screening projects and two nationwide screening projects. The National Supplemental Screening Program (NSSP) is one of the two nationwide projects in the FWP. The NSSP has operated since 2005, led by Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), with its partners National Jewish Health, Acuity International, Cority Software, and the Center for Health, Work & Environment at the Colorado School of Public Health. These organizations are respected for their expertise and capabilities in occupational medicine.
Additional Information
NSSP Updates
- Recording: DOE Former Worker Program Webinar Series – “Spirometry: An Overview and Interpretation of Results” (June 26, 2024)
- Recording: DOE Former Worker Program Webinar Series – “Hearing Loss and Its Implications on Compensation” (November 8, 2023)
- Recording: EEOICPA Medical Benefits Overview (October 18, 2023)
- Recording: DOE Former Worker Program Webinar Series – “Early Lung Cancer Detection and Cure for Former DOE Workers” (July 12, 2023)
DOE Former Worker Medical Screening Program
The Former Worker Medical Screening Program (FWP) offers ongoing medical screening examinations, at no cost, to all former DOE federal, contractor, and subcontractor workers who may be at risk for occupational diseases. The FWP is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Environment, Health, Safety and Security (EHSS) and reflects a commitment to the health and safety of all DOE workers—past and present—who have served the nation in national security and other missions.
NSSP Results
Over 21,500 DOE former workers have been examined through the NSSP, with the following findings: