An advocate's perspective on the department of labor's incorporation of the institute of medicine's (IOM) recommendations on the site exposure matrix (SEM)

BACKGROUND: The SEM is a database containing site-specific information on toxic substances that were or are present at the Department of Energy nuclear weapons facilities. DOL utilizes the SEM as a tool to adjudicate Part E claims filed under the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOICPA). DOL contracted with IOM to “review the scientific rigor and organization” of the SEM. IOM's charge was to review “how workplace chemical usage and exposure link to certain diseases…and identify strengths and weaknesses of the SEM.” IOM's report is due to be published in late March 2013.

PRESENTATION: The presenter will discuss the advocacy community's position on the standard of causation under Part E of EEOICPA and issues surrounding the SEM. DOL's status of incorporating IOM's recommendations into procedures for claims adjudication will be reviewed and compared with an earlier contractor's report by Econometrica. The implications of this analysis for ongoing efforts at legislative reform of EEOICPA and DOL implementation will be highlighted.