TRI-CITIES, Wash. – An independent board that advises government agencies on Hanford cleanup work questions whether the Energy Department is doing enough to protect workers from a lung disease caused by exposure to beryllium.

At its meeting Friday in Kennewick, the Hanford Advisory Board may ask the department to arrange for an independent review of the risk.

The Tri-City Herald reports three cases of the disease in the past 10 months for a total of 32. And the number of workers found to be sensitive to beryllium is up to 95.

Beryllium was used in the production of reactor fuel and dust remains in some buildings.