Nevada RESEP offers medical outreach and education to those affected by nuclear weapons testing. The United States conducted nearly 200 aboveground nuclear weapons tests from 1945 to 1962. During this time, many Nevada Test Site (NTS) workers, uranium industry workers, and families living or working downwind of the NTS were exposed to harmful radioactive materials.
Studies show that people exposed to radiation are at higher risk of developing certain cancers. Regular medical screenings can help to manage that increased risk.
Services Provided
- Physical exam from a physician provided at no cost to those eligible
- Screening tests including blood work, urinalysis, chest x-ray, and stool guaiac
- Educational materials about routine cancer screenings and other preventive health measures
- Summary and copy of exam results
- Referral services
- Free assistance with filing claims under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, $50,000 for eligible downwinders
To schedule a screening, please call us at 702-992-6887.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a screening, you must have direct ties to aboveground nuclear testing, whether as an employee at a test site or uranium mining operation, or as a resident or worker in a downwind county.
Downwinders
Persons who were physically present in downwind communities for at least 24 months from January 21, 1951 to October 31, 1958, or the entire time from June 30, 1962, to July 31, 1962.
- Nevada Counties: Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, and the northeast area of Clark (includes Moapa, Mesquite, Overton, Logandale, and Riverside).
- Utah Counties: Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington, and Wayne
- Arizona Counties: Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, Yavapai, and area of Arizona that is north of the Grand Canyon (Mohave).
Uranium Industry Workers
Uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters employed from 1942-1971 in a specified state (AZ, CO, ID, OR, ND, NM, SD, TX, UT, WA, WY). Both underground and aboveground mines qualify. Uranium miners who establish radon exposure equivalent to 40 working level months are also eligible.
Onsite Participants
Persons who participated onsite above or within the official boundaries of the Nevada, Pacific, Trinity, or South Atlantic Test Sites at any time during a period of U.S. atmospheric nuclear testing. This can include anyone who worked at a Test Site prior to 1963. It can also include those who monitored fallout or who worked on the decontamination of ships, aircraft, or other equipment used in a U.S. nuclear weapons test.
Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), first passed in 1990, offers monetary compensation to individuals who developed certain cancers and other serious illnesses following their exposure to radiation from aboveground nuclear testing or working in the uranium-mining industry. If the person who became ill with a compensable disease is deceased and never filed a claim, surviving family members can file on his or her behalf.
- Downwinders: $50,000
- Onsite Participants: $75,000
- Uranium Mining Workers: $100,000
Please call 702-992-6887 to request a claim form. Nevada RESEP offers free assistance at every step of the process, from providing a claim form to requesting medical documentation.
Hiring an attorney is not necessary to file a compensation claim. Onsite participants may also be eligible for compensation or benefits through the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Act (EEOICPA) or Veterans Affairs.
RECA expires in 2022. All claims must be filed by July 9, 2022. Any claims filed after that date will be barred.
PLEASE NOTE: On June 7, 2022, the President signed into law the RECA Extension Act of 2022. This law extends the termination of the RECA Trust Fund and the filing deadline for all claims for two years from its date of enactment to June 10, 2024.
Compensable Illness
Downwinders and Onsite Participants
Leukemia (excluding Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia); multiple myeloma; lymphomas (excluding Hodgkin’s Disease); primary cancers of the bile ducts, brain, breast (male or female), esophagus, liver (unless cirrhosis or Hepatitis B indicated), gallbladder, colon, lung, ovary, pancreas, pharynx, salivary gland, small intestine, stomach, or thyroid.
Uranium Millers and Ore Transporters
Primary cancer of the lung; certain nonmalignant respiratory diseases including pulmonary fibrosis of the lung, cor pulmonale related to fibrosis of the lung, silicosis, and pneumoconiosis; renal cancer or other chronic renal diseases, including nephritis and kidney tubal tissue injury.
Uranium Miners
Primary cancer of the lung; certain nonmalignant respiratory diseases including pulmonary fibrosis of the lung, cor pulmonale related to fibrosis of the lung, silicosis, and pneumoconiosis.
Additional Information
Please visit the following websites:
Contact
Nevada RESEP
UNLV Health, Department of Family Medicine
1701 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 590
Las Vegas, NV 89102
702-992-6887
This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under Grant H1GRH31017, Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program, Grant Period Sept. 2017-Aug. 2020. The information or content and conclusions are those of the author, and should not be construed as the official position of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.