Reports Detail Plutonium Releases

Two soon-to-be-released reports could help reduce fears about the possible health impacts of Cold War nuclear projects, but those close to the studies say the results may be inconclusive.

The first report, due in June but now expected in September or early October, comes from a yearlong examination of data from nuclear tests in the Nevada desert. The second is a study of releases from plutonium processing at the Hanford Reservation in Washington from 1944-72.

For those living downwind of Hanford and the Nevada tests, the hope is they and their physicians will better understand the impacts of exposure to radioactive iodine-131.

Iodine builds up in the thyroid gland, and I-131 is a suspect in thyroid disease among those exposed to high levels of radiation.

The National Cancer Institute said millions of Americans were exposed to radioactive fallout from 90 atomic tests.