254. The Downwinders

Send us Fan Mail Kingman Arizona’s Cullin Patillo joins us to talk about The Downwinders and the effects it took on his family and the community around him after the nuclear testing outside Las Vegas from 1952 to 1962. The Downwinders were individuals exposed to radioactive fallout from nuclear testing conducted by the United States government at the Nevada Test Site (NTS) in the 1950s and 1960s. The term "Downwinders" refers to people living in areas downwind of the NTS, primarily in Nevada, Utah, and Arizona. ## Exposure and Health Effects 1. **Radioactive Fallout**: The nuclear tests released radioactive materials, including iodine-131, cesium-137, and strontium-90, into the atmosphere. 2. **Exposure**: Downwinders were exposed to these radioactive materials through various pathways, including inhalation, ingestion of contaminated food and water, and skin contact. 3. **Health Effects**: Exposure to radioactive fallout has been linked to increased risks of various health problems, including cancer (e.g., leukemia, thyroid cancer), thyroid disease, and other radiogenic diseases. ## Affected Areas and Populations 1. **Nevada**: The NTS is located in southern Nevada, and many residents were exposed to radioactive fallout. 2. **Utah**: The state of Utah was heavily affected, particularly the southwestern region, including the cities of St. George and Cedar City. 3. **Arizona**: Northern Arizona, including the Navajo Nation, was also impacted by radioactive fallout. 4. **Native American Communities**: Many Native American communities, including the Navajo, Paiute, and Shoshone, were exposed to radioactive fallout, which had significant health and cultural impacts. ## Government Response and Compensation 1. **Initial Secrecy**: The U.S. government initially kept the nuclear testing program and its health risks secret from the public. 2. **Radiation Exposure Compensation Program (RECP)**: Established in 1990, the RECP provides compensation to individuals who were exposed to radioactive fallout and developed certain cancers or other radiogenic diseases. 3. **Downwinders' Fight for Justice**: Many Downwinders and their families have fought for recognition, compensation, and justice, citing the government's failure to protect them from the harmful effects of nuclear testing. Follow us at Reality Redemption on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, BlueSky and Tik Tok