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mistreated twice—first, in the secret testing and then by the official denials that lasted for decades. Now, years later, it's time to set tilings right." The panel recommends that DOD do everything in its power to identify and then notify the affected victims, release them from their vow of secrecy, and begin epidemiologic studies. DOD has yet to respond to these recommendations, but Rail believes it will now be more cooperative. "Once tilings are made public, it's easier to be fortllcomillg.,, By the end of the war, some 60,000 servicemen—two thirds of them probably still alive—had taken part in the mainly defensive research experiments. The aim was to develop protective clothing, gas masks, and skin ointments against blistering mustard gas agents and arseniccontaining Lewisite. Though most of the men were exposed only to a drop of agent on their arms, "more than 4000 experienced much more severe exposures
in tests conducted under field conditions or in gas chambers," Rail notes. At least another 90,000 people—about 30,000 of them civilians, including many women—were exposed to chronic, low levels of sulfur mustard and Lewisite while working at four military production facilities. The panel was able to gather bits of information only about Edgewood Arsenal in Maryland. Rail says the thousands of illness and accident reports recorded for this facility are "very suggestive that these workers could have received significant exposure levels." They are now likely to be suffering from "some of the cancers—lung and skin—and from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease," he adds. The report, "Veterans at Risk: The Health Effects of Mustard Gas & Lewisite," is available for $39.95 from the National Academy Press, 2101 Constitution Ave., N.W., Washington, D.C. 20418. Lois Ember
Because of a new accounting rule, 145,000 U.S. employees of Du Pont's chemical and specialties businesses, their families, and pensioners will have to contribute almost twice as much toward their health benefits starting next year. The new accounting rule, financial accounting standard 106, forced Du Pont to take a one-time charge against 1992 earnings of $3.8 billion to cover retirees7 health benefits (C&EN, March 16, 1992, page 17). It also forced Du Pont to grapple with current employee health care costs. The upshot is a reduction in benefits to all health plan participants. Beginning in 1994, participants in Du Pont health care plans will have to pay 20% of health care costs, instead of the current 11%. Cost increases beginning in 1997 will be split 50-50 between the company and plan members. Michael B. Sirkin, principal of the employee benefits services unit of Price Waspecific knowledge; efficient use of educa- terhouse in Los Angeles, says the actional technologies; attention to technical counting rule has forced companies to training; and more efforts to address see that although "the current cash costs [for health care] are affordable, accrual needs of underrepresented groups. Among the many milestones set out, brings to light the magnitude of the two of the more far-reaching involve promise" to employees and retirees. Du teacher training and standards. From 1993 Pont says health care costs for the chemto 1998, 600,000 teachere-^5,000 in 1993 icals group totaled $500 million in 1992, alone—are to participate in intensive double those of five years ago. Without training programs. And beginning this the steps just announced, these costs year, all materials developed with federal could double again to $1 billion by 2000. support are to conform to National AcadDu Pont says changes were necessary emy of Sciences and National Council of to keep the firm globally competitive. Teachers of Mathematics standards. 'There was a time when increased health Milestones also are set for under- care costs could be made up through ingraduate education. For example, revi- creases in the prices of our products," says talization of science and mathematics its chairman Edgar S. Woolard. "This is education is to benefit at least one third now impossible. Poor economic condiof lower division undergraduates. And tions around the world, and stiff competi16,000 faculty members who teach un- tion from non-U.S. companies that don't dergraduates are to receive research ex- have to pay directly for employee health perience at federal and industrial labs. care, eliminate that option." Separately, Du Pont will take a $1 bilhi tandem with the strategic plan, DOE released "Guidebook to Excellence," a lion charge against 1992 earnings to state-by-state directory of federal resourc- adopt a new accounting standard for ines available to teachers and students to come taxes. It will also take a $275 milenhance science and mathematics educa- lion charge against 1992 earnings to shut tion, from classroom speakers to teacher down the Richmond, Va., industrial nysummer training programs. It is available lon facility damaged in a recent fire, and from the Office of Scientific & Technical to pay termination incentives for an 18Information, P.O. Box 62, Oak Ridge, month voluntary separation program Term. 37831, Attention: Information Ser- that ended Dec. 31 (C&EN, July 29,1991, page 7). vices; phone (615) 576-8401. Deborah Ilhnan Marc Reisch
U.S. strategy for science education unveiled A pathway aimed at excellence in science and mathematics education was unveiled last week in a five-year strategic plan issued by the White House Office of Science & Technology Policy. The plan charts an ambitious course, and establishes a series of milestones to monitor progress along the way. The plan targets both precollege and college undergraduate education. In addressing precollege education, the plan is designed to help meet the National Education Goals adopted by the President and the nation's governors in 1990 (C&EN, Oct. 5, 1992, page 8). Entitled "Pathways to Excellence," the plan was developed by the Federal Coordinating Council for Science, Engineering & Technology. The 16-agency council was chartered by Presidential science adviser D. Allan Bromley and is chaired by Energy Department Secretary James D. Watkins. Bromley expects the Clinton Administration will expand on the plan. "This transition has been the smoothest, most cooperative that we've seen," he notes. "We've been delighted at the good will, concern, and interest in the plan." The plan emphasizes five areas: implementation of national standards in federal mathematics and science education programs; improved teacher education, stressing hands-on research and subject6
JANUARY 11, 1993 C&EN
Du Pont workers to pay more for health care
