ML18299A072

Ionizing Radiation Factsheet-Veterans - Information for Veterans and Their Families

ML18299A072
Person / Time
Site:	Palo Verde
Issue date:	09/26/2018
From:	Plant Licensing Branch IV
To:	Arizona Public Service Co
Lingam S, 301-415-1564
References
LTR-18-0281-1
Download: ML18299A072 (2)

Text

IONIZING RADIATION (IR)

INFORMATION FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES WHAT IS IONIZING RADIATION? Veterans who served in one or more of the following situations or circumstances may have been exposed to IR:

Ionizing radiation (IR) is high-energy radiation. Exposure to high doses of IR may cause adverse health effects. Sources

• Radiation-risk

 activity (includes "Atomic Veterans")

of IR exposure during military service include: Exposure to above-ground nuclear weapons testing and/

• Proximity to radioactive material or fallout radiation during the American occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

• Use of calibration and measurement sources

• Medical treatment using high dose radiation

• F  ukushima nuclear accident Exposure to very low doses of radiation following the

• Handling and detonation of nuclear weapons nuclear accident in Japan from March 12 to May 11, 2011.

• Exposure

 to depleted uranium as fumes from fires or as

• Military

 occupational exposure shrapnel from an explosion Participation in specific military occupations, such as a nuclear weapons technician or x-ray technologist, VETERANS POTENTIALLY AFFECTED including routine and usually safe exposure to radiation.

The majority of Veterans affected by IR are referred to as Atomic Veterans. These Veterans participated in one or

• Depleted

 uranium more above-ground nuclear tests during their military Proximity to an explosion where shrapnel or fumes service between 1945 and 1962; or were part of the U.S. containing depleted uranium, used in tank armor and military occupation forces in and around Hiroshima or some bullets, is embedded in the body or inhaled.

Nagasaki, Japan, before 1946.

• LORAN

 radiation Exposure to X-ray radiation from high voltage vacuum tubes used at LORAN (Long Range Navigation) stations from 1942 to 2010 by the U.S. Coast Guard.

• McMurdo

 Station, Antarctica nuclear power plant Exposure to radiation due to a leak at the nuclear plant at the U.S. Navys McMurdo Station, Antarctica, from 1964 to 1973.

continued on back U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs M AY 2015 l W W W. P U B L I C H E A LT H .VA .G O V Veterans Health Administration Office of Public Health

IONIZING RADIATION (IR)

Continued from front

•  Nasopharyngeal (nose and throat) radium irradiation treatments Radiation treatment received by certain pilots, submariners, divers, and others during service from 1940 to the mid-1960s to prevent ear damage from pressure changes.

•  Radiation therapy Exposure to radiation during the treatment of disease, most commonly cancer.

If you are concerned about the health effects of radiation exposure during military service, talk to your local VA Environmental Health Coordinator. Visit www.publichealth.

va.gov/exposures/coordinators.asp to find a listing of Environmental Health Coordinators at VA medical centers. NEXT STEPS IF YOU WERE EXPOSED Eligibility for VA compensation depends on a number of WHAT DISEASES AND ILLNESSES ARE LINKED TO factors, such as the amount of radiation exposure and the IONIZING RADIATION EXPOSURE? time elapsed between exposure and the development of For Veterans exposed as part of a radiation risk activity, disease. If you believe that you were exposed, contact your VA refers to certain cancers linked to IR exposure as health care provider.

presumptive diseases. For other military exposures, radiation VA can help determine exposure during military service doses are well below levels associated with adverse medical if you file a claim for compensation benefits for health conditions. VA recognizes that the following diseases are problems associated with radiation exposure during service.

possibly caused by exposure to IR during service, but are not VA decides benefit claims on a case-by-case basis. Even if considered presumptive diseases:

you are not eligible for compensation benefits, you may be

•  All cancers eligible for an Ionizing Radiation Registry health exam or

• Non-malignant thyroid nodular disease VA health care. Find out more at http://www.publichealth.

va.gov/exposures/radiation/benefits/index.asp.

• Posterior subcapsular cataracts

• Non-malignant

 tumors of the brain and central nervous system CONNECT WITH US:

SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE EMAIL UPDATES AT WWW.PUBLICHEALTH.VA.GOV FACEBOOK.COM/VETERANSHEALTH TWITTER.COM/VETERANSHEALTH U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs M AY 2015 l W W W. P U B L I C H E A LT H .VA .G O V Veterans Health Administration Office of Public Health