The Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program (RESEP) helps people who developed illness from radiation exposure in areas where there was U.S. nuclear weapons testing.
About RESEP
The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Amendments of 2000 created RESEP to help the thousands of people diagnosed with cancer and other diseases due to exposure to nuclear materials such as uranium or nuclear fallout1.
Radiation Exposure from Nuclear Testing in the United States
The United States conducted 227 above-ground and 828 below-ground nuclear weapons tests between July 1945 and November 1962. Many of the above-ground tests released radioactive material into the atmosphere. That material reached the ground as nuclear fallout.
The dangers of radiation exposure were unknown at the time. Workers did not receive protection. People who lived near the test sites were not warned of potential dangers or told to evacuate.
Workers and residents had radiation exposure from touching fallout on the ground, breathing polluted air, eating polluted foods, and drinking polluted water.
People exposed to radiation generated by the nuclear weapons tests are at risk for certain cancers and other serious health problems.
Can my organization be eligible for RESEP funding?
You must be a health care provider in the 12 states most affected by the Cold War's nuclear weapons industry.
Map of RESEP High-Impact States and Clinics
High-Impact States: Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
Clinics in: Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico and Utah
What services does RESEP support?
RESEP grants help health care organizations provide:
- Outreach to uranium miners, millers, downwinders and ore transporters
- Medical screenings for early detection of non-malignant and malignant diseases
- Referrals for medical treatment
- Education about radiogenic cancer and disease
- Assistance with medical documentation for the RECA program
Who are our current grantees?
View the FY 2020 Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program awardees.
Who does RESEP help?
RESEP grantees help people with radiation-exposure qualify for the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) Program. RECA pays patients who have many of the health conditions from radiation exposure.
Should I contact a RESEP clinic?
RESEP services may benefit you if:
- You lived near areas that conducted above-ground nuclear tests from 1945 through 1962
- You worked in the uranium mining industry from 1942 through 1971
It’s important to get screened if you meet either of these. Cancer and other serious illness can develop years after you were exposed.
How can I tell if I’ve been exposed?
We use exposure categories to classify a person who came into contact with radioactive material.
If you fit into any of the following exposure categories, you may have radiation exposure.
Uranium Mine Worker
You worked for at least one year.
OR
You can establish radon exposure equivalent to 40 working level months2 in above-ground or underground uranium mines.
In either case, you must have worked in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington or Wyoming between January 1, 1942 and December 31, 1971.
Uranium Mill Worker
You worked for at least one year in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming between January 1, 1942 and December 31, 1971.
Uranium Ore Transporter
You worked for at least one year as a transporter of uranium ore or vanadium-uranium ore from a uranium mine or uranium mill.
You did this work in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, New Mexico, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming between January 1, 1942 and December 31, 1971.
Downwinder
You were exposed to fallout when a nuclear device was set off into the atmosphere from the Nevada Test Site.
Eligible Downwind Counties include:
- Arizona counties: Apache, Coconino, Gila, a portion of Mohave County (north of the Grand Canyon), Navajo, or Yavapai
- Nevada counties: Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, and a portion of Clark
- Utah counties: Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington, or Wayne
If you lived in one of these counties for at least two years (24 consecutive or cumulative months from January 21, 1951, to October 31, 1958); or any place within the affected area from June 30, 1962, through July 31, 1962, you may qualify as a Downwinder.
On-Site Participant
You were within the boundaries of the Nevada, Pacific, Trinity or South Atlantic test sites during atmospheric nuclear testing by the U.S. prior to January 1, 1963.
Where can I get screened?
We fund clinics in five of the 12 most-affected states: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah.
| Name | Description | People Served | Contact Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Country Healthcare Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program | North Country HealthCare operates the North Country Healthcare Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program. They serve downwinders and uranium industry workers. They provide services at the main site in Flagstaff. | Downwinders who resided in the following Arizona counties: Yavapai, Coconino, Apache, Gila, Navajo, and Mohave County north of the Grand Canyon. | North Country HealthCare (HRSA grantee) 2920 N. 4th Street Flagstaff, AZ 86004 Phone: 928-522-2466 or 928-774-6299 Fax: 928-526-1143 |
| National Jewish Miners Clinic Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program | National Jewish Health refers patients to a RESEP center. These centers provide outreach, education, medical and depression screening, diagnostic testing, referrals and RECA assistance to people in the states of Colorado and Wyoming. | Former uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters. |
National Jewish Health |
| University of New Mexico Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program | The University of New Mexico operates a RESEP that serves uranium mining industry workers. | Uranium miners, millers, and ore-transporters in the state of New Mexico. | University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center 2325 Camino de Salud NE Albuquerque, NM 87131 Phone: 505-272-5880 Fax: 505-272-5958 |
| Navajo Area Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program | The Northern Navajo Medical Center is an Indian Health Service facility. It operates the Navajo Area RESEP. This RESEP serves uranium industry workers and downwinders. These patients reside on the Navajo Indian Reservation. The Northern Navajo Medical Center is the main site. It has four satellite clinics in Arizona and New Mexico. | Only IHS-eligible uranium workers and downwinders in:
|
Northern Navajo Medical Center P.O. Box 160 HWY 491 North Shiprock, NM 87420 Phone: 505-368-7032 Toll-free: 800-549-5644, ext. 7032 Fax: 505-368-7011 |
| Nevada Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program | The UNLV School of Medicine operates the Nevada RESEP. It serves downwinders and onsite participants. These people have radiation exposure from atmospheric nuclear testing done at the Nevada Test Site. |
Downwinders or on-site participants who lived in the state of Nevada at the time of atmospheric nuclear testing. | UNLV School of Medicine Family and Community Medicine 1701 W. Charleston Blvd., Ste. 590, 2410 Fire Mesa Street, Suite 180 Las Vegas , NV 89128 Phone: 702-992-6887 Fax: 702-979-6904 Website: Nevada Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program (HRSA grantee Web site) |
| Southwestern Utah Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program | The St. George Regional Hospital operates the Southwestern Utah RESEP that serves downwinders. | Downwinders in:
|
St. George Dixie Regional Hospital, 600 South Medical Center Dr, 400 East Bldg 7. St. George, UT 84790-84770 Phone: 435-688-5990 Fax: 435-688-4649 |
| Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program | Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation (TCRHCC) now offers RESEP services to a service area formerly served by Northern Navajo Medical Center. TCRHCC is an Indian Health Service (IHS) P.L. 93-638 Title V Self Governance tribal organization and a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. | The majority of their patients are downwinders living within the geographically dispersed populations of Native Americans from the Navajo, Hopi, and San Juan Paiute communities of Coconino and Navajo counties. They do also offer services to former uranium miners, millers and ore transporters. | Tuba City Regional Health Care Corporation 167 N. Main St., P.O. Box 600, Tuba City, AZ 86045 |
| Utah Navajo Health System Radiation Exposure Screening & Education Program | The Utah Navajo Health System RESEP is housed within/at four community health centers located across the southern portion of San Juan County, Utah; three of which are located on the Utah strip of the Navajo Nation. Utah Navajo Health System is a joint commission accredited, private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation; a federally designated 330e system of community health centers; a designated tribal organization; and a P.L. 93638 contractor governed by a 100% community member Board of Directors. | People who worked in the uranium industry (including miners, millers, and ore transporters) in
|
Utah Navajo Health Systems 1478 East Highway 162, Montezuma Creek, Utah 84534 Phone: 435-651-3291 Fax: 435-651-3642 |
Where can I find clinical guidelines and information about required documents?
We provide clinical guidelines and describe what documents you need to provide us for each type of patient:
RESEP Patient Resources
- Radiation Exposure Compensation Program (RECA) - U.S. Department of Justice
- Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act (EEOICPA) – U.S Department of Labor
- Frequently Asked Questions
Contact us:
Sachi Khushu
Email: skhushu@hrsa.gov
Phone: 301-443-2466
1. "Nuclear Fallout" refers to nuclear material sent into the upper atmosphere after a nuclear explosion that "falls out" of the sky after the initial explosion and shock wave have passed.
2. "Working level months" is a metric of time determined through review of employment history records. It can be determined by the RESEP clinics on behalf of the patients.