Helping Former Atomic Workers with a COPD Diagnosis

Your COPD Diagnosis and BreatheBetter

In 1950, the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) selected the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range to develop and test its nuclear weapons. In December of 1950, President Harry Truman approved the establishment of nearly 700 square miles of the Range as the Nevada Proving Ground, later renamed to the Nevada Test Site in 1955.

Above ground testing occurred for 43 years before it was moved to underground tunnels. However, when the testing began, most residents of the area, and even those working at the site, did not know about the possible health risks—including the potential for wind currents to cause radioactive fallout, unfortunately resulting in different cancer and chronic illness diagnosis, including COPD. Many causes of COPD in former atomic-industry workers can be attributed to their work history and the occupational materials they were exposed to while working in DOE facilities. Common hazards include dust, silica, asbestos, mining dust, sulfur dioxide fumes, cadmium fumes, as well as other heavy metal fumes from welding. If your patient has been diagnosed with COPD or another lung disease related to workplace exposure they may qualify for financial and medical benefits through the EEOICPA.

Nuclear Care Partners’ team of Benefits Specialists can help you determine if they may qualify.

BreatheBetter – A Specialized Program Exclusively Provided by Nuclear Care Partners

Here at Nuclear Care Partners, we are always looking for new and inventive ways to help our patients maximize their quality of life while battling their COPD diagnosis. Our BreathBetter Program allows our patients, from the comfort of their own home, to work on simple breathing exercises customized by healthcare professionals to maximize their lung function and lung health. 

• Receive education on specific diseases and disease processes.
• Learn from a BreatheBetter nurse and practice a variety of lung exercises to help with breathing.
• Find comfort in knowing that we will advocate for your patient’s lung health needs
• Patients will learn how to properly use and care for their inhalers, concentrators, and other medications and devices.
  

Our BreatheBetter Respiratory Care Program can also help former atomic workers battling any of the following respiratory conditions & more:

• Chronic Asthma
• Chronic Beryllium Disease
• Silicosis
• Asbestosis
• Emphysema
• Pulmonary Fibrosis
• Sarcoidosis
• Pneumoconiosis
• Pleural Plaques
  

Give us a call at 800.525.5111 to learn more about this respiratory program and how it may benefit your patients who worked for the Department of Energy and are battling a respiratory illness.