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News Media Resources: DTRA Fact Sheets - Nuclear Test Personnel Review (NTPR) Program

Nuclear Test Personnel Review (NTPR) Program

(Toll Free Hot Line: (800) 462-3683)

The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is the Department of Defense (DoD) Executive Agent for the Nuclear Test Personnel Review (NTPR) Program, which serves veterans who participated in U.S. atmospheric nuclear tests, served with the American occupation forces of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, or were prisoners of war in Japan at the conclusion of World War II. The primary purpose of the NTPR Program is to provide participation data and radiation dose information to veterans. Since its inception in 1978, the NTPR Program has identified approximately 230,000 DoD personnel who participated in U.S. atmospheric nuclear tests conducted primarily in Nevada and the Pacific Ocean between 1945 and 1962. Since 1988, the program has added approximately 230,000 DoD personnel who participated in the post-World War II occupation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, bringing the total NTPR population to over 460,000.

Mission

The NTPR Program has four primary elements designed to assist veterans by:

  1. providing participant and radiation dose information,
  2. conducting historical records research,
  3. performing veteran outreach, and
  4. supporting independent scientific studies

All of these elements are designed to assist veterans who participated, to help the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) in responding to claims, and to provide information to veterans who are concerned about the possible health effects associated with participation in U.S. atmospheric nuclear testing.

Participant and Dose Information

The first mission element of the NTPR Program is to provide participation and radiation dose information to support medical and compensation programs administered by the VA and DOJ. The NTPR Program plays no role in the administration of the VA or DOJ programs or the adjudication of claims. The VA and DOJ are solely responsible for determining the Service-connection of disabilities and the administration of benefits. When requested by the VA or DOJ, the NTPR Program draws upon the results of extensive historical research, technical information, and veteran input to provide participation data and radiation dose information, where applicable.

The NTPR Program also ensures that veterans can obtain access to sources of documents and records concerning their involvement in U.S. atmospheric nuclear tests or with the occupation forces of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. When available, film badge data are used to establish radiation dose levels. In instances where film badge data are not available or where film badges are not capable of measuring all of the radiation contributions that comprise a total dose (e.g. internal and neutron doses), scientific techniques are used to provide the veteran with a calculated radiation dose. For example, because Japanese prisoners of war did not have film badges, their doses must be calculated to account for potential radiation exposure. About 45 percent of U.S. atmospheric nuclear test participants have some film badge data. Individual dose reconstructions are based on evaluations of records from all sources and any available statements/questionnaires/interviews concerning the veteran's activities.

In 1985, the NTPR dose reconstruction methodology was published after a period of public comment in Title 32 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 218 (32 CFR 218). Since then, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) have performed several reviews of the scientific methods used by the NTPR Program (most recently in 2003). The GAO is the investigative arm of Congress, chartered to study the programs and expenditures of the federal government in an independent and nonpartisan fashion. The NAS is a private, non-profit organization chartered by Congress to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. See the NTPR Studies and Reviews fact sheet for more information on the results of these program reviews.

Historical Records Research

The second mission element of the NTPR Program involves comprehensive research of the broadest scope. Over 100 archives nationwide have been researched for relevant information. The program has located, retrieved, declassified as necessary, and preserved records pertaining to U.S. atmospheric nuclear tests. More than 40 historical volumes and 25 analytical reports have been developed to provide details of each test and operation. These records are diverse in nature and are vital in documenting participation activities and establishing radiation dose levels. The documentation includes service and medical records, film badge records, pocket dosimeter logs, test program documents and technical reports, special orders, muster rolls, unit memoranda, ship deck logs, morning reports, flight logs, personal accounts, diaries, and other relevant papers. Although the majority of the archival research effort was completed prior to 1984, the NTPR Program continues to seek and obtain new information from all available sources.

Public Outreach

The third mission element of the NTPR Program is to provide a public outreach service to veterans and their families and appointed representatives. This outreach includes personal contact with veterans and mass media announcements to locate atomic veterans and publicize the availability of services and the VA's health care and entitlement programs. The NTPR toll-free helpline (800-462-3683) was created in 1978 and continues to facilitate direct contact by veterans. The helpline has handled over 80,000 calls since its inception, and the NTPR Program has completed over 210,000 correspondence actions in response to veterans, their families, Congress, Federal agencies, and the media.

A 41-volume summary of each U.S. atmospheric nuclear test operation was developed and made available to the VA and 700 public libraries throughout the United States. These documents are also available for purchase through the National Technical Information Service. The Nuclear Testing Archive, a repository for over 300,000 nuclear test era documents, has been established in Las Vegas, Nevada, for public use. Additionally, the NTPR Reading Room in Reston, Virginia, contains about 500 linear feet of reference information for public review. The public can also access basic NTPR information and other associated Internet sites through DTRA's website.

Scientific Studies Support

The final element of the NTPR Program is the support of independent scientific studies to ascertain whether U.S. atmospheric nuclear test participants have experienced adverse health effects as a result of their participation. The NTPR Program has supported NAS studies to determine whether there is an increased incidence of radiogenic disease-specific (such as leukemia, liver cancer, or thyroid cancer) mortality among U.S. atmospheric nuclear test participants. See the NTPR Studies and Reviews fact sheet for more information on the results of these scientific studies.

Medical Care and Compensation Programs

Various public laws, enacted between 1981 and 2003, provide the basis for medical care and compensation entitlement for radiation exposed veterans. These public laws are codified by the VA in Title 38 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 3.309 and Part 3.311 (38 CFR 3) and by the DOJ in 28 CFR 79. The Government Printing Office offers free online access to the Code of Federal Regulations.

Military Personnel and Medical Records

The NTPR Program does not maintain a file of military personnel service or medical records. These records are maintained at the National Personnel Records Center (NPRC):

National Personnel Records Center (NPRC)
Military Personnel Records
9700 Page Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri 63132-5100

Copies of military records may be requested by submitting a Standard Form 180 to the NPRC. Additional information about the NPRC and instructions on requesting records are available from the National Archives and Registration Administration.

Unit Records

Historical records for military units are not maintained by the NTPR Program, but copies may be requested from the following offices:

NTPR Inquiries

Veterans desiring service or seeking information about the NTPR Program can address their inquiries to:

Nuclear Test Personnel Review Program
DTRA/TDND
8725 John J. Kingman Road
MSC 6201
Fort Belvoir, VA 22060-6201
Phone: (800) 462-3683
Email: [email protected]

More information is available at Nuclear Test Personnel Review.

March 2007




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