D-Ia, have discovered that four Iowa counties were among the 11 in the United States most affected by radiation released by underground atomic bomb tests in Nevada in the 1960s. The National Cancer Institute reported in a summary study earlier this year that a third of Iowa counties received moderate amounts of exposure from atmospheric tests in the 1960s. But Harkin aides combing the complete report found that a series of underground tests from 1961 through 1970 also exposed Iowans in Woodbury, Worth, Mitchell and Howard counties to radioactive iodine 131. The exposure was less than that during the 1960s tests.
Radioactive iodine affects the thyroid gland.
Well, obviously we do. Officials at the National Cancer institute have said it's not possible to estimate exactly how high the risk of thyroid cancer may be for people exposed to fallout. In addition, public health officials in Iowa have downplayed the risk. But experts also have recommended that people with concerns talk to their doctors about getting a thyroid exam during an annual physical. Thyroid cancer is a relatively rare and highly survivable form of cancer if detected early, experts say.