Hilo VA clinic workers may have been exposed to radiation

Workers in a Hilo Veteran Affairs outpatient clinic may have been exposed to radiation over the last six years because equipment used to treat cancer patients was insufficiently shielded.

Hawaii Tribune-Herald reported today the linear accelerator machine is contained in a concrete and lead vault on the ground floor of the Hawaii Pacific Oncology Center, which is downstairs from the VA clinic.

Howard Ainsley, chief executive officer of Hilo Medical Center, which operates the oncology clinic, says tests showed “an issue” with the accelerator.

He says when the linear accelerator is operating there may be radiation levels that exceed regulatory limits in the rooms above.

Three VA clinic employees were moved to other rooms.

Ainsley says the exposure was intermittent.

Officials are to continue monitoring the vault and the VA clinic.