Is this Idaho town giving its residents cancer?

When you move to Idaho, you probably expect beautiful scenery and isolation from the noise of the world. The last thing you probably expect when moving to a new place is getting cancer.

Is this Idaho town giving its residents cancer?

According to the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense Acquisition & Sustainment (or “OUSD A&S,” which is much simpler), “188 nuclear tests were conducted between 1951 and 1958,” many of which took place at the Las Vegas Bombing and Gunnery Range in Nevada.

These tests resulted in nuclear fallout that was carried across our skies and contaminated parts of Idaho…including a beloved Idaho city that many call home.

Nuclear fallout in Idaho

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), nuclear fallout is filled with hundreds of radionuclides that can remain in the environment from a few minutes to thirty years.

Back in 2004, a New York Times report revealed that many residents in Emmett, Idaho may have been exposed to radionuclides that could have led to an increase in cases of various types of cancer.

The 1997 report caused a stir when it revealed how much nuclear fallout contaminated the soil and even the livestock that ate the vegetation in the area.

Is it safe to live in Emmett?

Now let’s try to understand this: If bomb testing had taken place in the 1950s and the fallout could only last up to thirty years, wouldn’t it be safe to live in Emmett?

Maybe… but not everyone is convinced, especially when there are rumors that the radiation from those nuclear tests is still in the Emmett soil.

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byu/Ghostt-Of-Razgriz from discussion
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As you can see, many still believe that living in Emmett increases the risk of developing cancer.

The EPA has monitoring systems that allow you to check the gamma levels in the region, and at least to us – normal people who are not scientists – it seems that everything is fine and safe.

But is it?

What do you think? Is there still radiation residue from nuclear tests in Emmett or is it all just hearsay?

Share your thoughts or experiences with us here.