FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Matheson: New Report Gives Evidence of Radiation-linked Cancers Statewide

Provides Support for Expanding RECA Boundaries

Washington, D.C.- Congressman Jim Matheson released a new report today that reveals higher rates of radiation-associated cancer in Utah counties where residents are not eligible for government compensation under the  Radiation Exposure Compensation Act of 1990 (RECA).

"Based on this evidence, I suspect there are even more victims out there than we have already acknowledged under the current law," said Matheson 

Matheson requested that the Special Investigations Division of the House Committee on Government Reform examine new information about cancer rates in Utah.  The information, which was compiled by the National Cancer Institute, includes data on the rates of radiation-associated cancers by county in Utah from 1973 to 2001.

"The report concludes that for the 30-year period the National Cancer Institute has tracked cancer rates, there was an 8 percent higher rate of radiation-associated cancers in areas where residents can't be compensated, under RECA, than in those areas where residents are eligible," said Matheson.  "This has implications for thousands of cancer victims in 19 Utah counties who by law cannot file a claim."

Under RECA, residents of 10 southwest counties in the state, who suffer from 18 types of radiation-associated cancer, are eligible to apply for payments, usually in the amount of $50,000.  The National Cancer Institute released major reports in 1997 and 2001, finding evidence of radiation exposure across all of Utah, with the distribution of fallout largely unrelated to RECA's borders.

Matheson said the data shows that six Utah counties have cancer incidence rates above the state average.  Five of these counties fall outside of RECA's borders. Further, the report found that the overall average rate of radiation-associated cancer was 210.5 per 100,000.  Six counties in the state had rates that exceeded this average, five of which are RECA-ineligible.  The counties with the highest rates of radiation-associated cancer were Tooele County, Grand County, Carbon County and Salt Lake County.

"At a time when the government is contemplating a return to study, development and testing of new nuclear weapons, we need to get all the information out on the table in terms of health affects from past testing.  This report raises concerns that there may be thousands of sick and dying Utahns out there who are the forgotten guinea pigs of past government policies on nuclear testing," said Matheson.

The report's findings are based on cancer rates from 1973 to 2001.  It is limited to where people were when their cancer was documented.

Alyson Heyrend
Communications Director
240 E. Morris Ave., #235
Salt Lake City UT 84115
(801) 486-1236  fax (801) 486-1417
(801) 455-5593  cell