Metallurgical Laboratory Information
Location
Chicago, Illinois
The University of Chicago’s Metallurgical Laboratory (Met Lab) was involved in early uranium metallurgical work as part of the Manhattan Project. The first self-sustaining nuclear chain reaction was achieved at the university in a “pile” called the Chicago Pile 1, built by Enrico Fermi and his Met Lab colleagues. The Met Lab is the direct predecessor of Argonne National Laboratory into which all Met Lab functions were transferred in 1946.
Beryllium use at the Metallurgical Laboratory is linked with experimental studies in determining whether to use graphite, heavy water or beryllium as a pile moderator. Graphite was the ultimate choice for Fermi’s pile.
*In 1982-1984 and 1987 environmental remediation was conducted in Eckhart Hall, Jones Laboratory and Ryeson Hall. Only environmental remediation work performed under contract to the DOE performed in these buildings as DOE facility employment during the time period.
Alternative Names
- Eckhardt Hall
- West Stands
- New Chemistry Laboratory and Annex
- Ryerson Physical Laboratory
- Kent Chemistry Laboratory
- Metallurgical Laboratory
- Jones Laboratory
- University of Chicago Metallurgical Laboratory
- MetLab
Type of Facility
- Atomic Weapons Employer
- Beryllium Vendor
- Department of Energy
Covered by EEOICPA
- Part B (beryllium vendor, AWE)
- Part B and Part E (DOE)
EEOICPA Covered Years
- 1942-1946 (beryllium vendor)
- 1942-1946 (AWE)
- 1947-1981 (residual radiation)
- 1982 (DOE-remediation in Eckhart Hall, Jones Laboratory, Ryeson Hall)
- 1984 (DOE-remediation in Eckhart Hall, Jones Laboratory, Ryeson Hall)
- 1987 (DOE-remediation in Eckhart Hall, Jones Laboratory, Ryeson Hall)
Contractors
- 1942-1946 University of Chicago
Contract Numbers
- W-7401-eng-37
DOE
DOL
- Tracking your DOL Claim Status
- DOL Case and Claim Statistics
- Advisory Board on Toxic Substances and Worker Health
- Ombudsman’s Office
- Resource Center
- Site Exposure Matrix
- Approved Special Exposure Cohorts
- Bulletin 09-07 Metallurgical Laboratory SEC Class
NIOSH
- Tracking your NIOSH Case Status
- Advisory Board on Radiation and Worker Health
- AWE Site Wide Documents
- NIOSH Case Statistics
- Special Exposure Cohort Status Table
- Petition 135: “All AWE employees who worked at the Metallurgical Laboratory in Chicago, Illinois, from August 13, 1942 through June 30, 1946, 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 SEC.”
- Work Site Information
Other Resources
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