Thousands of property owners near Rocky Flats spent more than 26 years pursuing claims over plutonium contamination, nuisance, and diminished property values. Cook v. Rockwell ultimately produced a $375 million settlement—but it did not address residents’ personal health claims.

The Union of Concerned Scientists explains how ionizing radiation can affect the body immediately or contribute to illnesses that emerge years later. Learn why this research matters to communities connected to the nuclear-weapons life cycle, including Rocky Flats.