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Families who believe they suffered from nuclear tests

Families who believe they suffered from nuclear tests WalesOnline Jan 28 2009 by Darren Devine, Western Mail Their families believe they were guinea pigs in government experiments to develop nuclear bombs in the face of what was seen as a growing Soviet threat after World War II. Darren Devine hears from veterans and their families who say that the nuclear tests in the Pacific left a legacy of lives blighted by cancers and ultimately death………………………….

Successive UK governments have denied the veterans’ claims that they were exposed to significant doses of radioactive material, causing severe illnesses including cancers. But the 1000- strong Atomic Veterans Group is involved in legal action against the Ministry of Defence in the High Court in pursuit of a multi-million- pound compensation payout.

Veterans who served in the Army, Royal Navy and Air Force, as well as New Zealand and Fijian claimants, are involved in the landmark compensation case.

About 20,000 veterans saw blasts between 1952 and 1957 and only 3,000 remain alive.

Lawyers say the veterans suffered injuries of all types, ranging from minor complaints and skin conditions to cancers of the thyroid, liver, intestine and lungs.

They have pointed to the Rowland study of a small group of New Zealand test veterans which “proved that most, if not all, of them suffered genetic effects due to radiation exposure”.

The veterans’ lawyers maintain those responsible for the tests did not fully understand the risks.

Families who believe they suffered from nuclear tests – WalesOnline

January 29, 2009 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | Uncategorized