Are You a Downwinder ?

A

akivory

Joined
Feb 5, 2001
Messages
808
I did not realize until a few years ago that I am a Downwider . It is certainly not a distinction that is to be envied. There is a fund that offers $50,000 to sufferers of any number of maladies the are deemed caused by being downwind of nuclear tests in Nevada in the 50s and early 60s .
I found this definition that lists the areas that are covered.

The claimant must have lived or worked downwind of atmospheric nuclear tests in certain counties in Utah, Nevada and Arizona for a period of at least two years during the period beginning on January 21, 1951, and ending on October 31, 1958, or, for the period beginning on June 30, 1962, and ending on July 31, 1962. The designated affected areas are: in the State of Utah, the counties of Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Millard, Piute, San Juan, Sevier, Washington, and Wayne; in the State of Nevada, the counties of Eureka, Lander, Lincoln, Nye, White Pine, and that portion of Clark County that consists of townships 13 through 16 at ranges 63 through 71; and in the State of Arizona, the counties of Apache, Coconino, Gila, Navajo, Yavapai, and that part of Arizona that is north of the Grand Canyon.
 
We live in SW Utah and there currently is a battle going on over a new test called "Divine Strake". I think this is a 9000 ton non-nuclear blast, the concern is that it will release old radioactive material into the atmosphere.

I have a friend who won't consider living in this area because of prior tests! I most likely was exposed to much worse, living in NJ for 60 years.


Win
 
Win Heger said:
We live in SW Utah and there currently is a battle going on over a new test called "Divine Strake". I think this is a 9000 ton non-nuclear blast, the concern is that it will release old radioactive material into the atmosphere.

I have a friend who won't consider living in this area because of prior tests! I most likely was exposed to much worse, living in NJ for 60 years.


Win
Click to expand...

Win,

There is a old joke that asks why California has 80% of the Nation's lawyers and New Jersey has 80% of the toxic waste sites; answer being New Jersey had first pick.

Be that as it may, Divine Strake is nowhere close to 9000 tons. Strake is planned as a 700 ton ANFO (ammonium nitrate fuel oil emulsion) explosion using C-4 (as much as 300 tons) to initiate the blast. From 1977 to 1991 White Sands conducted at least 8 ANFO explosion tests larger than Strake and none were close to 9000 tons. Largest of these was called Minor Scale in 1985 at 4,744 tons. There have also been a series of seven 120-ton explosions at Misers Bluff near Lake Havasu in 1978 and a buried test of 1,410 tons of ANFO at the U12N tunnel complex in the same Nevada Test Site where Strake is planned.

Divine Strake is being planned as a research tool for developing our next generation hardened target penetrators and taking out the likes of Al Qaeda when they run like the rats they are for their tunnels in Tora Bora. The NTS' U16B tunnel is in a geological setting that simulates the characteristics of important potential, global adversarial targets. The tunnel complex site was carefully chosen after reviewing the geological properties of a number of other locations on U.S. Government range complexes and other controlled land areas. A detailed environmental impact study has been available on line to the public since November of 2005 that addressed concerns for atmospheric dust and steps to mitigate any impact to the native animal population as well as potential impacts to human health. The NTS was chosen for its remote location and the test was scheduled to take place in June 2006. Since then, the press has exagerrated the size of the blast and its effects to rally support against it in southern Nevada in general and Las Vegas in particular. The site is deep within the NTS nearly 90 miles from Vegas. The prevailing wind and the Sheep and other mountain ranges isolate the area further still.

We have learned from our mistakes at Yucca and Jackass flats and have a better understanding of the effects of nuclear radiation and fallout. This is a non-nuclear open air explosive. I lived Las Vegas and my job's business was near the site when the test was scheduled. I read the studies and had no fear for my health. I hope we test soon and get on with the business of eradicating terrorists and those who would do us and our allies harm while nestling snugly in their warrens and burrows that have resisted our efforts to destroy them.

AKIvory,
Disturbing news to say the least. I pray you never have to file a claim. Stay well!





J
 
I am downwind of Peach Bottom, and they haven't made any statements about that disaster at Three Mile Island.
 
I did some computer repair work for the attorney who is doing the class action suits for the Hanford downwinders. I was shocked by the amount of data that has been compiled, and is very much public, but you rarely hear a word. I see it as a rush to win WWII, Cold War paranoia, a total failure to assess the long term effects, covering up accidents and mistakes, and good old greed. I think history will see this era as dancing on the cliff to Hell. The Soviets make us look like choirboys in this area, but that doesn't excuse our own government poisoning citizens and then trying to sweep it under the rug.
 
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