The purpose of the Radiation Exposure Screening and Education Program is to improve the health outcomes and quality of life for populations at increased risk for the development of radiogenic cancers and/or disease resulting from exposure to radioactive materials through uranium mine industry work or fallout from nuclear arms testing. The United States conducted 227 above-ground and 828 below-ground nuclear weapons tests between July 1945 and November 1962. Many of the above-ground tests released radioactive material into the atmosphere. That material reached the ground as nuclear fallout.

The dangers of radiation exposure were unknown at the time. Workers did not receive protection. People who lived near the test sites were not warned of potential dangers or told to evacuate.

Workers and residents had radiation exposure from touching fallout on the ground, breathing polluted air, eating polluted foods, and drinking polluted water.

People exposed to radiation generated by the nuclear weapons tests are at risk for certain cancers and other serious health problems.