Blockson Chemical Company-Building 55 and Related Activities Information

Location

10 West 35th Street
Joliet, Illinois

Blockson Chemical Company operated a plant which produced uranium from phosphoric acid. The AEC contracted with Blockson for the recovery of the uranium, which was ultimately used in weapons production. The AEC Uranium production work performed by Blockson was conducted in a one-story brick structure known as Building 55.
This listing is also intended to cover the AEC-funded laboratory, pilot plant and oxidation process, which also occurred at Blockson, and was related to the work in Building 55.

During the period of residual contamination, as designated by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and as noted in the dates above, employees of subsequent owners and operators of this facility are also covered under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act.

Alternative Names

  • Blockson Chemical Group
  • Olin Mathieson
  • Olin Corporation

Type of Facility

  • Atomic Weapons Employer

Covered by EEOICPA

  • Part B

EEOICPA Covered Years

  • 1951-June 1960 (AWE)
  • July 1960-March 1, 2011 (residual radiation)

DOE

DOL

NIOSH

Other Resources

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