Radiation Exposure Compensation Act (Downwinders)

From 1945 to 1992 the United States government performed 1,045 nuclear weapons tests, many in the Nevada desert. Nuclear fallout from these tests, carried by wind currents, spread across the region into neighboring states like Idaho.

A map depicting composite deposition of radioactive material across the contiguous U.S. from the Trinity test in New Mexico and from 93 atmospheric tests in Nevada. (Princton University)

As a lifelong Idahoan, Downwinder was a term I'd heard on and off over the years. My mother grew up in Emmett ID, a small town situated in a tiny valley just Northeast of Boise, where it seemed to be common knowledge amongst the locals that fallout from these tests blew in and settled. The cancers followed shortly after.

The Radiation Exposure and Compensation act (RECA) was reauthorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Pub. L. 119-21, and enacted on July 4, 2025. RECA allows those affected, or if they have passed their loved ones, to seek $100,000 in compensation for qualifying cancers believed to be caused by these nuclear tests and other incidents of exposure. "RECA does not require claimants to prove causation. Rather, claimants qualify for compensation by establishing a diagnosis of a compensable disease after working or residing in a designated location for a specific period." Meaning there is no burden of proof for claimants to show that the tests caused their cancer, merely that they have a qualifying type of cancer and were in an eligible area or field of work during the claim dates.

Since word has spread, the Caldwell Public Library has seen a huge increase in research requests as individuals seek proof of residency during the claim years between 1951 to 1962. Our primary source for this information, are our Caldwell Polk City Directories. These directories provide a year-by-year list of individuals living in Caldwell and many of the other communities in Canyon County. Additionally, we carry Caldwell High and Jr. High yearbooks, newspaper microfilm, and have access to Ancestry library edition. Through these resources, we are able to make physical or digital copies along with a letter of certification that people can use for their RECA claim.

Individuals can submit a Caldwell Public Library research request in person, or online with the link below.

Submit a Research Request here.

Additional resources to help with RECA research include the Boise Public Library, and the Idaho State Archives.