Ames Laboratory Information

Ames Laboratory is located on the Iowa State University Campus in Ames, Iowa. During the Manhattan Project, researchers at Iowa State perfected a magnesium reduction process, producing pure uranium metal that quickly became the industry standard. Iowa State was one of the first organizations to supply metallic uranium used as fuel for the first self-sustaining chain reaction at the University of Chicago.

In 1947, the AEC formally established the Ames Laboratory and directed it to focus on materials research. Over the years the laboratory broadened its mission to include fundamental research in the physical, chemical, mathematical, engineering, and environmental sciences as well.

Throughout the course of its operations, the potential for beryllium exposure existed at this site, due to beryllium use, residual contamination, and decontamination activities.

Type of Facility

• Department of Energy

Covered by EEOICPA

• Part B and Part E

EEOICPA Covered Years

• August 13, 1942-Present

Contractors

• Iowa State University (1942-Present)

DOE

• DOE Facility List by Name
• Flickr
• FUSRAP Considered Site
• Glassdoor
• YouTube Channel
• Website

DOL

• Tracking your DOL Claim Status
• Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health
• Ombudsman’s Office
• Resource Center
• DOL Case and Claim Statistics
• Site Exposure Matrix
• Approved Special Exposure Cohorts
• Circular 12-03: Ames Laboratory at Iowa State University Special Exposure Cohort Class (SEC) from August 13, 1942 through December 31, 1970
• Circular 18-03: Ames Laboratory Special Exposure Cohort (SEC) Class from January 1, 1971 through December 31, 1989

NIOSH

• FAQs About Your Case
• Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health
• NIOSH Case Statistics
• Special Exposure Cohort Status Table
  • Petition 245: “All employees of the Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and their contractors or subcontractors who worked in any area of the Ames Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, during the period from January 1, 1971, through December 31, 1989, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees included in the Special Exposure Cohort.”
  • Petition 038: “Department of Energy (DOE) employees or DOE contractor or subcontractor employees who worked at the Ames Laboratory in one or more of the following facilities/locations: Chemistry Annex 1 (also known as “the old women’s gymnasium” and “Little Ankeny”), Chemistry Annex 2, Chemistry Building (also known as “Gilman Hall”), Research Building, or the Metallurgical Building (also known as “Harley Wilhelm Hall”) from January 1, 1942 through December 31, 1954 for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, or in combination with work days within the parameters (excluding aggregate work day requirements) established for one or more classes of employees in the SEC, and who were monitored or should have been monitored.”
  • Petition 075: “Sheet metal workers, physical plant maintenance and associated support staff (including all maintenance shop personnel), and supervisory staff who were monitored or should have been monitored for potential internal radiation exposures associated with the maintenance and renovation activities of the thorium production areas in Wilhelm Hall (a.k.a. the Metallurgy Bldg or “Old” Metallurgy Bldg) at the Ames Laboratory from January 1, 1955 through December 31, 1970, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort.”
  • Petition 166: “All employees of the Department of Energy, its predecessor agencies, and its contractors and subcontractors who worked in any area of the Department of Energy facility at the Ames Laboratory from January 1, 1955 through December 31, 1960, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment, or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more other classes of employees in the Special Exposure Cohort.”
  • Petition 185: “All Department of Energy (DOE) employees, its predecessor agencies, and its contractors and subcontractors who worked in any area of the Ames Laboratory at Iowa State University during the periods from August 13, 1942 through December 31, 1970, for a number of work days aggregating at least 250 work days, occurring either solely under this employment or in combination with work days within the parameters established for one or more classes of employees included in the Special Exposure Cohort.”
• Work Site Information

Other Resources

• Atomic Heritage Foundation
• BTComp Contractor/Subcontractor Database
• Waste Lands-America’s Forgotten Nuclear Legacy Database