Friday, January 27, has been designated as a national day of remembrance for those who worked or lived downwind of nuclear test sites during the Cold War, and those later affected by radiation exposure.

The Yavapai County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on January 4 to approve a resolution approving the anniversary.

Nuclear testing in the United States began on July 16, 1945 at the Trinity Nuclear Test Site in New Mexico. Formerly known as the Nevada Test Site, the Nevada Test Site conducted the first above-ground nuclear test in 1951 just 65 miles from Las Vegas. Between 1951 and 1992 he conducted over 900 nuclear tests.

Fallout from these experiments spread across the Southwest, northern Arizona, Nevada, and southern Utah. Those who lived in these areas between 1947 and 1962 are considered ‘downwinders’.

The mining and refining of uranium is also necessary for the production of nuclear weapons, and those who have worked in this field are also entitled to radiation exposure compensation. Continuing the tests, the rancher began to notice strange burns on the sheep. Many have seen livestock die. There were also clusters of cancers in certain areas that residents could not help but notice. The problems caused by radioactive fallout became widely recognized in 1984 when the Utah District Court held the federal government liable, but three years later the Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit judgment was overturned by

Many Southwesterners believe that the federal government, while aware of the potential threat posed by nuclear fallout to surrounding communities, failed to provide residents with adequate warning and protection. I’m here.

Congress passed the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act in October 1990, providing partial compensation for those who lived in certain areas between 1941 and 1961.

Sherry Hannah, Arizona Downwind Advocate, has traveled across the United States sharing in the plight of downwinders. She was born in Winslow in the downwind region. Her late husband, who also grew up in the area, later contracted non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is one of the compensable cancers under RECA and, under the circumstances, was supposed to be caused by radiation exposure. Her father also died of esophageal cancer, another radiation-related illness.

“I’m considered downwind,” Hannah said. “I haven’t had any disease yet, but I grew up in that area that was affected by the fallout at the time. was to help them get

Those downwind are entitled to $50,000 in compensation. Onsite test participants can receive rewards up to $75,000. Uranium miners, millers and ore carriers can receive his $100,000. Downwind can also get free cancer screening once a year for her lifetime.

See Justice for more information. gov/civil/common/reca.