OK this is going to relate to Sub-Contractors that worked for Exxon , and they would be the two largest which is VECO and VRCA. If you worked for one of these companies during Spill then you came in contact with various chemicals, mainly "Inipol" I would associate your medical problems with either two.

Now VECO supplied the beach workers and VRCA was mostly on barges working different sites with Super suckers. But I can not say for sure if these workers and or their supervisors knew at that time about Chemical exposure.  For one thing these people came from all over. (not just Alaska) and nobody except Exxon knew the dangers of the chemical exposures of Inipol, because as I have stated before, Exxon covered it all up with their own MSDS report.

Now there was a short Haz-mat class that VECO sent their Supervisors to, but in all fairness it was a Flop, at the time no one knew what would happen.  Take the Berthing Vessel Columbia in Knight's Island , they made their own drinking water, but it did not take out the chemical's that the beach cleaner's where using , such as Inipol at low tide, when the tide came in the Inipol would wash off and float all over the Bay and thus the drinking water and your bathing water was contaminated, leading to exposure to yourself and probably your children and on down the line .

In all fairness I could say that VECO didn't know, but they did and all that mattered was the big Money, not your health, just big money. Now on the other hand as far as VRCA goes they really never gave a shit; they refused to supply ty-vek suits , respirators, gloves and such because in all rights it was only an Oil spill and they had a very good contract with Exxon, why cut into profits when you are on top of the World? It's really it all comes down to the big buck'a, not your health, or mine

(I supplied all the Inipol to the beach workers).  Had I known? I really do not know, sure I investigated the MSDS report and asked my supervisor's about the differences about the French MSDS report and that of Exxon's, but I thought at the time we were doing the right thing, when I found out about the exposure and cancer I was fired, and went to the RCAC in Anchorage. Not until a lot of years later did these smuks decide it really wasn't a good idea to spray the Sound, I was in the RCAC for three years and everything I said was as if I should just talk to myself.

Don't get me wrong at the time I thought I was making a difference, but not at all, when I resigned in 1993 from the RCAC they were still full of shit.  Believe me when I tell you this, if you were exposed I am sorry for supplying the chemicals and I can only hope I can make a difference in the near future for you and your families .

I Remain, Captain Richard - This post VECO & VRCA