New Mexico Downwinders and Uranium Workers Can Claim $100,000 in Radiation Compensation: Deadline at the End of 2027
Santa Fe County, New Mexico, announced on Oct. 20 that under the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA), New Mexico 'downwinders' exposed to radiation from nuclear tests and post-1971 uranium workers may apply for a one-time $100,000 payment, with all claims due by Dec. 31, 2027. Eligible downwinders must have lived in New Mexico for at least one year between Sept. 24, 1944 and Nov. 6, 1962, or been present for the entire period from June 30 to July 31, 1962, covering fallout from the Trinity test and other nuclear testing.
Compensable diseases include leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia), multiple myeloma, lymphoma (other than Hodgkin's disease), and primary cancers of the thyroid, breast, esophagus, stomach, pharynx, small intestine, pancreas, bile ducts, lung, ovary, gallbladder, salivary gland, bladder, brain, colon and liver (liver cancer excluded where cirrhosis or hepatitis B is indicated). If an eligible person dies before or during the application process, survivors may apply in a set order: surviving spouse, children, parents, grandchildren, then grandparents. Details and application instructions are on the U.S. Department of Justice RECA webpage.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: Wikimedia Commons 公共领域图片（1945年 Trinity 核试验火球；摄影 Berlyn Brixner）
