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RESEPRadiation Exposure Screening
& Education Program
• One of 8 Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Programs
• Funded by a federal grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)
• North Country has held this grant since 2007
About Us
“…to improve the knowledge base and
health status of persons adversely
affected by the mining, milling or
transporting of uranium and the U.S.
testing of nuclear weapons.” RESEP/HRSA 2008
Program Goal
What is it?
A Congressional Act to assist individuals who live (or lived) in areas where U.S. nuclear weapons testing occurred and individuals who were exposed to nuclear material such as uranium.
RESEP
One component of RECA
Downwinders & Onsite Participants
1951 - became the primary testing
location for the U.S.
• Initially, explosions were deployed
above-ground
• Significant amounts of radioactive
fallout
1958 - U.S., USSR, & United
Kingdom agreed to suspend testing
1962 - testing resumed heavily;
last above-ground test in July
History: Nevada Test Site
Downwinders — $50,000
• Lived in an affected area during January, 1951 — October, 1958 (at least 2 years) or entire month of July, 1962
On-Site Participants — $75,000
• Participated onsite in a test involving atmospheric detonation
Compensation Categories
Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia)
Multiple myeloma
Lymphoma (other than Hodgkin’s Disease)
Primary cancer of the:
Compensable Diseases
Thyroid Breast Esophagus Colon
Stomach Pharynx Small intestine Ovary
Pancreas Bile ducts Gall bladder Liver
Salivary gland Bladder Brain Lung
Component of RECA
Uranium Industry
National defense during the Cold War
Atomic Energy Act of 1946
Uranium boom
Uranium industry
Radioactive decay of uranium ore emits
radon gas, which is a carcinogen.
Uranium workers are exposed to very large doses of radon, which
often results in lung cancer.
Hazards of Uranium
Uranium Miners & Millers — $100,000
Worked in a uranium mine or mill between 1942-1971
Compensation Categories
Uranium Ore Transporters $100,000
Transported uranium ore between 1942–1971
Radioactive debris is carried by wind and settles in communities and contaminates the area with radioactive particles.
How Exposure Occurs
External irradiationParticles in the air and on the ground
Internal irradiationInhalation and ingestion
• Crops, wells, milk & meat
What does RESEP offer?
• Medical Screenings
• RECA assistance
Screenings include:
•Complete physical
•Urinalysis
•Blood work
•Chest X-ray
• Stool test
RESEP offers yearly cancer screenings for affected individuals at no cost.
No-Cost Medical Screenings
• Apology to individuals affected by nuclear testing
• Monetary compensation to those that have developed certain diseases as a result of exposure
NOTE: If the affected individual is deceased, a surviving family member can apply for compensation.
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
Required documents:
1. Cancer diagnosis
2. Identification
3. Proof of presence
RECA Claims Process
How to start
1. Medical Records
▫ Diagnosis of qualifying disease/cancer
▫ Pathology report
▫ Operative report
▫ Physician summary
2. Identification
▫ Birth certificate/affidavit of birth
▫ Marriage & divorce records
▫ Death certificate (if applicable)
Documentation
3. Proof of Presence▫ School records
▫ Medical records
▫ Birth/marriage records
▫ Work history
▫ Voting history
▫ Personal letters
▫ Etc…
4. Beneficiaries’ documents
Documents
Approved Denied Pending Amount Approved
Downwinders 17,738 4,193 606 $886,870,000
Onsite Participants
3,332 2,889 457 $241,954,075
Uranium Miners
6,003 3,503 121 $599,574,560
Uranium Millers
1,585 480 33 $158,500,000
Ore Transporters
311 138 6 $31,100,000
Total 28,969 11,203 1,223 $1,839,477,097
Compensation to Date
1. Schedule a cancer screenings
2. See if you or a family member qualify for RECA
3. Spread the word to your family and friends
What can you do?
