Radiation Exposure Compensation Act

The United States Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) is a federal statute implemented in 1990, set to expire in July 2024, providing for the monetary compensation of people, including <a href="/facts/Atomic_veteran/FmNPzsM0">atomic veterans</a>, who contracted <a href="/facts/Cancer/PVW6n1D0">cancer</a> and a number of other specified diseases as a direct result of their exposure to atmospheric <a href="/facts/Nuclear_testing/s2srGDFP">nuclear testing</a> undertaken by the United States during the <a href="/facts/Cold_War/spJdJQ3q">Cold War</a> as residents, or their exposure to <a href="/facts/Radon/0V9arWKl">radon</a> gas and other radioactive isotopes while undertaking <a href="/facts/Uranium_mining/PtNQDk6L">uranium mining</a>, milling or the transportation of ore.
The Act has been providing the following remunerations, unchanged since 1990 despite inflation:

<ul><li>$50,000 to individuals residing or working "<a href="/facts/Downwinders/TWBYjrVP">downwind</a>" of the <a href="/facts/Nevada_Test_Site/eWg04MIr">Nevada Test Site</a></li>
<li>$75,000 for workers participating in atmospheric nuclear weapons tests</li>
<li>$100,000 for uranium miners, millers, and ore transporters</li></ul>
In all cases there are additional requirements which must be satisfied (proof of exposure, establishment of <a href="/facts/Time/HceJKUGB">duration</a> of employment, establishment of certain medical conditions, etc.).
In 2022, the law was to expire, and President <a href="/facts/Joe_Biden/fe2ThfUp">Joe Biden</a> extended the filing deadline for another two years.

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act open-in-new

Radiation Exposure Compensation Act