WELCOME! N. Arizona RESEP

Radiation Exposure Screening & Education

Program

About Us

• One of 12 Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Programs

• Funded by federal grants from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA)

Program Goal

“…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

History: Nevada Test Site • 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

U.S. conducted: ▫ 86 above-ground

nuclear detonations

▫ 14 underground that released substantial radioactive material

▫ 828+ underground nuclear detonations

How Exposure Occurs

Radioactive debris is carried by wind and settles on communities

How Exposure Occurs

• External irradiation Gamma rays

▫Particles in the air ▫Particles on the ground

How Exposure Occurs

• Internal irradiaton ▫ Inhalation ▫ Ingestion Crops – surfaces or absorption by roots Milk & meat – animals graze in contaminated

pastures

Health Effects of Exposure • Radioactive particles remove weakly-bound

electrons from atoms in the body

• Can directly or indirectly damage DNA

• Increased risk of thyroid cancer & leukemia shortly after exposure

• Increased risk of many types of cancer later in life

Uranium mining

• National defense during the Cold War

• Atomic Energy Act of 1946

• Uranium boom

Hazards of Uranium

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.

Two Components 1. RESEP- Medical screening exams

2. RECA- Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

No-Cost Medical Screenings

• Exposure leads to a higher risk of developing many types of cancer.

• Early detection is key for treatment.

No-Cost Medical Screenings RESEP offers yearly cancer screenings for

affected individuals at no cost.

Screenings include: ▫ Complete physical ▫ Urinalysis ▫ Blood work ▫ Chest x-ray ▫ Fecal immuno-

chemical test

North Country Locations

Contact our office to schedule a screening appointment:

(928) 522-9427

Please note: RESEP will bill primary insurance (if applicable) then pay any remaining balance. RESEP is not responsible for additional services, such as colonoscopies, medications, CT scans, etc.

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

NOTE: If the affected individual is deceased, a surviving family member can apply for compensation.

• Apology to individuals affected by nuclear testing

• Monetary compensation to those that have developed certain diseases as a result of exposure

Compensation Categories Downwinders — $50,000

Lived in affected areas between 1951 - 1958 and/or 1962

On-Site Participants — $75,000 Participated in a test involving atmospheric

detonation

Uranium Miners & Millers — $100,000 Worked in a uranium mine between 1942 - 1971

Uranium Ore Transporters — $100,000 Transported uranium ore between 1942 – 1971

Downwinders — $50,000 Lived in an affected

area during

January 21, 1951 — October 31, 1958 (at least two years)

OR

June 30, 1962 — July 31, 1962 (entire month)

ARIZONA • Coconino • Yavapai

• Apache • Gila

• Navajo • Mohave

NEVADA • White Pine • Nye

• Lincoln • Eureka

• Lander • Clark

UTAH

• Washington • Iron • Kane

• Beaver • Millard • Wayne • San Juan

• Garfield • Sevier • Piute

Compensable Diseases • Leukemia (except chronic lymphocytic leukemia) • Multiple myeloma • Lymphoma (other than Hodgkin’s Disease) • Primary cancer of the:

Thyroid Breast Esophagus Colon

Stomach Pharynx Small intestine Ovary

Pancreas Bile ducts Gall bladder Liver

Salivary gland Bladder Brain Lung

Cancers that are NOT eligible: The following cancers do NOT qualify under the

Downwinder category: Prostate Kidney Melanoma (skin) Cervical Testicular Uterine*

*Occasionally a person with uterine AND ovarian cancer will qualify

RECA Claims Process

Documentation of:

1. Diagnosis

2. Identification

3. Proof of presence

RESEP offers free claims assistance!

RECA Claims Process 1. Medical Records

▫ Diagnosis of qualifying disease/cancer: Pathology report Operative report Physician summary

▫ Death certificate may be sufficient

2. Identification ▫ Birth certificate/affidavit of birth ▫ Marriage & divorce records ▫ Death certificate (if applicable)

RECA Claims Process 3. Proof of Presence ▫ School records ▫ Medical records ▫ Birth/marriage records ▫ Work history ▫ Voting history ▫ Personal letters ▫ Etc…

Compensation to Date (May 27, 2013)

Approved Denied Pending Amount Approved

Downwinders 16,877 4,057 654 $843,820,000

Onsite Participants 2,668 2,247 1,232 $193,489,707

Uranium Miners 5,848 3,442 104 $584,974,560

Uranium Millers 1,529 460 34 $152,900,000

Ore Transporters 308 129 8 $30,800,000

Total 27,230 10,335 2,032 $1,805,084,267

What can I do?

1. Schedule your annual medical screening through RESEP.

2. If you have a compensable disease, meet with us to discuss a RECA claim.

3. Spread the word to your family and friends from the area!

Thank you! Questions?

(928) 522-9427

jterwoord@nchcaz.org