Hanford Community Health Project

Did you grow up near the Hanford Nuclear Reservation? If so, there is an important new health resource for you to learn more about potential exposure to radiation (radioactive iodine 131) released from Hanford. This information has been assembled by the Hanford Community Health Project.

Between 1944 and 1972 radioactive iodine (I-131) was released from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation. The majority of these releases occurred between 1944 and 1951. The releases were related to the production of plutonium for use in nuclear weapons.

It's estimated that children who were up to five years old and lived in Adams, Benton or Franklin counties in Washington state at the time of the releases, received the highest doses of I-131. Today, these are adults between the ages of 54 and 65. Much of this exposure came through consumption of contaminated milk produced by cows (and goats) grazing on contaminated pastures downwind of Hanford.

What should concerned individuals do?

Visit www.hanfordhealth.info. The site has important educational resources about exposure to I-131 including:
• A self-assessment tool – A quick, easy-to-use guide to help you learn if you were exposed
• HCHP mailing list sign-up form – Sign up to get HCHP materials and periodic project updates
• A variety of educational materials about the releases from Hanford so you can work with your physician to make more informed health care choices
• Call the HCHP information line toll-free at 1-800-207-3996 to request materials and join the project mailing list
• Tell your friends and family who are Hanford downwinders about the HCHP Web site. You can download an electronic message to send them at www.hanfordhealth.info.

About the Hanford Community Health Project

The Hanford Community Health Project (HCHP) is an outreach and education initiative sponsored by ATSDR (Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry). The project provides educational resources to individuals, and their health care providers, who were exposed as young children to radioactive iodine (I-131) released from the Hanford Nuclear Reservation in south central Washington state. The focus is on releases of I-131 that took place between 1944 and 1951.The project's goal is to assist concerned individuals and their health care providers in making informed health care choices concerning these exposures. For more information visit www.hanfordhealth.info.

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