A company that processes radioactive waste in Memphis, TN, has agreed to pay 23 former African American employees to settle claims that they were discriminated against, including being exposed to higher levels of radiation than white employees.

Radiological Assistance, Consulting and Engineering LLC, dba Studsvik LLC, will pay $650,000 to settle the lawsuit filed by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).

According to the EEOC’s suit, African American employees were subjected to racially offensive comments by their white supervisor. The EEOC also said white managers subjected the African American employees to excessive radiation exposure, more than their white co-workers.

Allegedly the dosimeters that recorded the workers’ radiation exposure were manipulated to mask the true levels, the suit said.

The consent decree isn’t an admission of guilt by the company. Studsvik bought the company from its original owners. The purchase agreement included a provision placing responsibility for the settlement on the former owners.

Tags: discrimination, EEOC, radiation exposure