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USA Bill to compensate “downwinders,” uranium workers, for radiation-caused illnesses

Bill Would Expand Benefits for Tribal Members and Others Exposed to Cold War Radiation   https://www.knau.org/post/bill-would-expand-benefits-tribal-members-and-others-exposed-cold-war-radiation, By RYAN HEINSIUS • JUL 2, 2019 A bill in the U.S. Senate would expand compensation for those sickened by Cold War-era nuclear weapons testing and uranium mining. KNAU’s Ryan Heinsius reports, many tribal members in the Southwest were left out of the original program.

The bill would amend the 1990 Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, or RECA. It provides restitution to many people known as “downwinders,” along with uranium mine workers throughout the West.

However, residents in some areas of the Navajo Nation, Arizona, New Mexico and other states aren’t covered, along with miners who worked during much of the 1970s. Many are tribal members who suffer from lung disease, cancer and other health problems they attribute to working in the mines and being exposed to radiation.

The current Senate bill would broaden eligibility for compensation and medical benefits. Navajo President Jonathan Nez and a group of former tribal uranium miners are pushing for its approval.

The U.S. tested nearly 200 atmospheric nuclear weapons between 1945 and 1962. About 30 million tons of uranium ore was mined on or near the Navajo Nation until the mid-1980s.

July 4, 2019 - Posted by | health, politics

2 Comments »

  1. That is great news. A small start for those affected. I am going to add you to my blog. You dig out some great information.

    Rainbow Warrior's avatar Comment by Rainbow Warrior | July 8, 2019 | Reply


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