Catchword: downwinder

Filed under: English

Part of speech: n.

Quotation: Nuclear testing in Nevada during the 1950s and 1960s released radiation into the atmosphere that settled in states far away from the original test site. Researchers determined that certain elements of this fallout, such as the radioactive isotope Iodine-131, settled in states such as Idaho and Montana and found their way into food and milk supplies. Radioactive contamination can manifest itself as various forms of cancer, leukemia and other illnesses, particularly thyroid cancer. Those affected in this way are often referred to as “downwinders,” to denote their situation downwind from the fallout.

Article or document title:
“Idaho, Montana Downwinder Bill Reintroduced” (URL)

Article, document, publication, web site:
American Chronicle

Publishing location:
Beverly Hills, California

Date of publication:
June 25, 2009

This catchword has yet to be researched.