Nuclear testing and public health.

Although the so-called Cold War may now be a thing of the past, the health ramifications of the nuclear arms buildup during the Cold War are far from being over. During the years 1945-1962, the Atomic Energy Commission carried out about 235 atmospheric nuclear tests. Many of the above-ground nuclear weapons tests, including more than 100 between 1951 and 1958, were carried out at the Nevada test site (1). It is not possible to give a precise figure on the number ofmilitary personnel and civilians who were exposed to radioactive fallout as the result ofnuclear weapons testing. However, it is estimated that 203,000 military personnel and civilians were involved in the nuclear testing from 1945 to 1962 by the Atomic Energy Commission. And overall, an estimated 1-2 million Americans may have been exposed to radiation arising from nuclear weapons testing (2). An important question, ofongoing public health concern, involves possible adverse health effects from the radioactive fallout ofnuclear testing. People directly involved with nuclear testing, as well as persons living downwind ofa nuclear weapons testing site, may be at considerable risk ofdeveloping health problems associated with radiation exposure (2). Risk of injurious radiation exposure arises from actual nuclear testing as well as from problems with storage tanks used for radioactive wastes. It is believed that at some nuclear weapons plants in the country, there is concern that some storage tanks used for radioactive wastes may be at risk of exploding (2). Effects ofradiation exposure on human health are incompletely understood. In the past, scientific studies of survivors of the atomic bombing ofHirosfima and Nagasaki have probably provided the most important data on immediate and long-term effects ofacute, whole body exposure to ionizing radiation (3). Unfortunately , epidemiologic study ofthese survivors can only provide limited information about radiation effects. Radiation emanates from various sources, including medical, environmental , and occupational sources. Often, radiation from such sources is ofan intermittent or continuous, low-dose nature (3). The studies ofthe atomic bomb survivors, however, pertain to a single, high-dose exposure to radiation. In general, though, cancer is probably the major long-term effect of radiation exposure (1-4). It apears that bodily tissues especially sensitive to the cancer-causing action ofradiation include the bone marrow, thyroid, and female breast (3). Cancer of the lung, bladder, colon, stomach, and esophagus may be linked as well to large radiation doses (3). Numerous claims have been filed against the United …