'Oppenheimer' Brought New Mexico's Nuclear Legacy Into Limelight, Now Biden Pledges To Aid Radiation Exposure Victims

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden expressed his willingness to provide assistance to individuals affected by radiation exposure during nuclear weapons tests, particularly in New Mexico, where the first atomic bomb was detonated in 1945.

What Happened: During his visit to a wind tower factory in Belen, Biden addressed the issue of radiation exposure, stating his commitment to ensuring the well-being of the affected individuals, AP News reports.

New Mexico’s historical significance as a nuclear testing site has recently gained attention due to the release of the movie “Oppenheimer,” which focuses on physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer and the Manhattan Project.

Democratic Sen. Ben Ray Lujan of New Mexico emphasized the need for an amendment to the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, which compensates individuals who fell ill due to nuclear tests or uranium mining during the Cold War. The U.S. Senate recently voted to expand this compensation, extending health care and coverage to more regions affected by radiation exposure.

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Why It Matters: The repercussions of radiation exposure have been a global concern, as evidenced by incidents like the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Plant disaster in Japan, where residents were found to have radioactive contamination.

The potential health risks associated with radiation exposure underscore the importance of Biden’s commitment to support affected individuals. Furthermore, the recent attention on New Mexico’s nuclear history, partly due to the “Oppenheimer” film, highlights the need for comprehensive measures to address the long-term impacts of nuclear testing.

Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com

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