Mixed reactions to NAS report

"They're going to wait until we're dead and buried and then poison our children and grandchildren just like they did us," lamented Tona Henderson.

Reeling like they had received a punch in the gut, several downwinders gathered last Thursday to read the just-released recommendations from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), addressing radioactive nuclear fallout, Iodine-131. The report outlines suggestions for the US Congress to deal with the thousands upon thousands of Americans who were exposed to fallout from above-ground nuclear testing in Nevada during the 1950s and 60s-suggestions that call for more studies, more time, before a decision is made.

Ultimately, any decision to change any part of RECA is up to Congress.

While the NAS report does recognize that the entire country was dusted with fallout containing a myriad of contaminants-some more deadly than others-it also recommends Congress revise the current program that deals with downwinders. In 2000, Congress changed RECA (Radiation Exposure Compen-sation Act) to include compensation for victims of 19 specific types of cancer in 21 counties in Utah, Nevada and Arizona.

However, much to the dismay of many Emmett and other Idaho downwinders, the NAS report acknowledges little link between cancers and diseases now being battled. "Because the risks of radiation-induced disease are generally low at the exposure levels of concern in RECA populations, in most cases it is unlikely that exposure to radioactive fallout was a substantial contributing cause of cancer," the report states.

US Senator Mike Crapo says the report supports his cause to add all of Idaho to RECA as currently written. He cited several maps in the 387-page report to back up his pledge. A cancer survivor himself, Crapo personally looked at the NAS report description of exposure to Iodine 131, which can damage the thyroid. According to both the NAS and National Cancer Institute (NCI), I-131 contaminated milk produced by cows that ate from fields dusted with the stuff. Drinking milk exposed countless children with small, developing thyroids. The NAS report, as well as an NCI study released in 1997, show that Idaho was heavily hit by fallout as it drifted down from upper air currents.

Several pages of the report itself detail radiation exposure and development of thyroid cancer, using a male born in Custer County as an example. Graphing the estimated dose from 1930 through 1962, the chart peaks exposure in the early 50s. Crapo pointed out areas of the report that show Custer, Gem, Lemhi and Blaine Counties were hit harder than any of those currently qualified for RECA. In fact, the NAS report shows that all of Idaho is exposed more than most of the country.

Realizing that getting Idaho added to the current RECA will be very difficult, he's up to the challenge. "It will be hard to add one state to the old law when the report shows all states were exposed." Crapo hopes to have something drafted within a few weeks and bring it to Congress by early fall.

However, in looking at the report, there is little rhyme or reason for those counties now eligible for compensation. Some ineligible counties in Utah were exposed at much higher rates than eligible counties. "The average exposure for the State of Idaho is equal to or higher than any Utah county included," said Crapo.

After initially hearing that the NAS recommends revamping RECA in its entirety, those gathered with Tona Henderson were given back a ray of hope by Crapo's announcement to seek immediate redress for Idaho. Henderson read the four-page summary of the NAS report to two-dozen people, some from as far away as McCall. As always happens when more than two downwinders gather, they shared experiences and common histories with a "now I understand why" attitude.

Crapo also realizes that Congress will want to consider the NAS recommendation to overhaul RECA. How this will play out is unknown at this time. National exposure that the issue has received through an article recently published in Reader's Digest may or may not speed up the process. "I think it may have started general talk in all offices of Congress" because constituents nationwide are realizing the scope of the issue, said Crapo.

Senator Larry Craig supports Crapo "in an effort to assist Idahoans who were harmed by the fallout from nuclear weapons testing. Idahoans deserve an opportunity to be considered for compensation. The report affirms my contention that winds know no political boundaries."

Representative Mike Simp-son sees the report as a mixture of good and bad. "While the report clearly states that any new effort to expand RECA must be more equitable than the current program, it also seems to indicate that a new science-based, nationwide program would establish a more restrictive standard for awarding compensation." Simpson plans to support Crapo for his "strong leadership and commitment to this issue. I look forward to learning of his intentions and working with him on this issue," said Simpson.

Representative C.L. "Butch" Otter said he appreciated Crapo's leadership. "Govern-ment must be accountable for the damage it does to any of its citizens. The reports provides some hard scientific realities about the basis for compensation in Idaho and nation-wide...Those realities may be difficult for Idahoans to accept...Idahoans who believe they were hurt as a result of our government's actions continue to deserve our advocacy in this process," said Otter.

Idaho Governor Dirk Kemp-thorne supports Crapo's efforts, even while recognizing the NAS wants more scientific criteria for compensation. Kempthorne pledges to "support the legislative proposal advocated by Senator Crapo. This legislation is a starting point to ensure Idahoans are treated fairly." Kempthorne's staff and the Idaho Division of Health will review the entire report and work with Idaho's Congres-sional Delegation for a solution.

What generated the report

Information for the report came, in part, from public hearings held Boise, Window Rock, AZ, St. George, UT and Salt Lake City, UT. Hundreds testified. Idaho's only hearing for RECA was held last November where several hundred attended to hear the stories of 75 who testified. Many others sent written comments.

The report lists overall summaries of testimony and written statements that include several broad categories: