The Nation - News from Oct. 27, 1988

An anti-nuclear physicians’ group urged President Reagan to take drastic steps to improve safety at U.S. nuclear weapons-making facilities, where production virtually has halted. Four major plants in the 14-facility manufacturing complex have been wholly or partially closed for safety reasons and the production of nuclear weapons has ground to a halt, according to officials at the Energy and Defense departments. The anti-nuclear group, Physicians for Social Responsibility, said in a statement that contamination and dubious safety procedures “have direct and potentially devastating medical implications.” The Energy Department has estimated it would cost $66 billion to $110 billion to clean up the waste and upgrade the facilities.