LOS ANGELES (AP) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency wants the help of former workers at the Santa Susana Field Laboratory to identify contamination from nuclear and radiological projects at the site.

The EPA is interested in interviewing former workers for three companies - Atomics International, Rocketdyne and Rockwell - who may know about spills, dumping or other releases of radiological material, the agency said in a news release this week.

The lab was established in 1946 and covers nearly 2,900 acres in eastern Ventura County, just west of the San Fernando Valley section of Los Angeles.

The lab was used to test rocket engines, conduct nuclear energy research and develop nuclear reactors, one of which had a partial meltdown in 1959.

For years there has been debate about whether activities at the lab are connected to health problems.

In preparation for cleanup, the EPA is planning a study of the contamination and wants a full understanding of past operations and events at the now-closed laboratory.

The EPA said interviews with former workers could be conducted in several ways: in person with EPA representatives only, jointly with EPA and Department of Energy representatives, or with DOE representatives only.

The EPA also said it is seeking documents, reports, photographs and other written information.