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Executive Summary
Pages 1-9

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From page 1...
... who have been diagnosed with specified cancers that scientists consider to be radiogenic or other specified chronic diseases that could have resulted from exposure to other agents, such as silica or uranium dust, associated with weapons-program activities. Eligible claimants include civilian onsite participants who were involved in aboveground nuclearweapons tests at various US test sites in the United States and overseas, downwinders who lived in areas currently designated by RECA, and miners who were exposed to radiation during employment in underground uranium mines and who meet specified residence or exposure criteria.
From page 2...
... The 2000 Amendments also specified additional compensable diseases for all claimant categories, reduced the radiation exposure threshold for uranium miners, modified medical documentation requirements, removed some lifestyle restrictions that had limited eligibility for compensation, and expanded the geographic area for the downwinder claimant category. Further expansion of the program followed with enactment of the Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act (PL 107-273)
From page 3...
... Much of the committee's effort was directed at the second and third parts of the statement of task -- namely, the most recent scientific information related to radiation exposure and associated cancers or other diseases, with recommendations for improving services for exposed persons; and whether other groups of people or additional geographic areas should be covered under RECA. The committee considered a range of possible expansions of the downwinder geographic areas.
From page 4...
... The scientific evidence indicates that in most cases it is unlikely that exposure to radiation from fallout was a substantial contributing cause to developing cancer. Moreover, scientifically based changes that Congress may make in the eligibility criteria for compensation in response to this report are likely to result in few successful claims.
From page 5...
... · The recommendation applies to residents of the continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, and overseas US territories who have been diagnosed with one of the specified RECA-compensable diseases and who may have been exposed, including exposure in utero, to radiation from US nuclear-weapons testing fallout. Both Nevada Test Site (NTS)
From page 6...
... This should include all the major sources of dose related to US nuclear weapons tests considered to have potential health consequences that the CDC-NCI 2001 draft feasibility study described. · An updated dose calculator, similar to the existing NCI dose calculator for 131I, should be developed for determining dose to the thyroid and other important organs from fallout.
From page 7...
... On the basis of its review of the RESEP program data and presentations by HRSA officials and RESEP grantees, the committee offers another set of recommendations about medical screening, compensational screening, and education and outreach; they are 7. HRSA should base RESEP medical screening efforts in asymptomatic individuals on robust scientific evidence that such screening improves health outcomes and that its benefits outweigh its risks.
From page 8...
... The committee also recommends that an advisory organization should review all federal compensation programs related to radiation exposure to determine similarities and differences and that HRSA periodically convene representatives of all programs to address inconsistencies among programs and determine the effects of developments over time in radiation biology, risk estimates, legislation, and regulations. (See Chapter 11.)
From page 9...
... EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 9 The committee recognizes that some of its recommendations will be difficult to implement in a short time. Additional information and improved approaches for addressing radiation risk and fallout doses may change compensation programs, medical screening, screening for compensation, and related education and outreach programs.


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