28 CFR § 79.22 - Criteria for eligibility for claims relating to certain specified diseases contracted after exposure in an affected area (“downwinders”).

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t28/s79.22"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "28 CFR § 79.22 - Criteria for eligibility for claims relating to certain specified diseases contracted after exposure in an affected area (“downwinders”)."
title_number: 28
title_name: "Judicial Administration"
section_number: "79.22"
section_name: "Criteria for eligibility for claims relating to certain specified diseases contracted after exposure in an affected area (“downwinders”)."
chapter_name: "DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE"
part_number: "79"
part_name: "CLAIMS UNDER THE RADIATION EXPOSURE COMPENSATION ACT"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "Secs. 6(a), 6(i) and 6(j), Pub. L. 101-426, 104 Stat. 920, as amended by secs. 3(c)-(h), Pub. L. 106-245, 114 Stat. 501 and sec. 11007, Pub. L. 107-273, 116 Stat. 1758 (42 U.S.C. 2210 note; 5 U.S.C. 500(b))."
regulatory_source: "Order No. 2711-2004, 69 FR 13634, Mar. 23, 2004, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "79"
---


# 79.22 Criteria for eligibility for claims relating to certain specified diseases contracted after exposure in an affected area (“downwinders”).

To establish eligibility for compensation under this subpart, a claimant or eligible surviving beneficiary must establish each of the following:

(a)(1) That the claimant was physically present at any place within the affected area for a period of at least two years (24 consecutive or cumulative months) during the period beginning on January 21, 1951, and ending on October 31, 1958; or

(2) That the claimant was physically present at any place within the affected area for the entire, continuous period beginning on June 30, 1962, and ending on July 31, 1962; and

(b) That after such period of physical presence the claimant contracted one of the following specified compensable diseases:

(1) Leukemia (other than chronic lymphocytic leukemia), provided that:

(i) The claimant's initial exposure occurred after the age of 20; and

(ii) The onset of the disease occurred at least two years after first exposure;

(2) Multiple myeloma, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(3) Lymphomas, other than Hodgkin's disease, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(4) Primary cancer of the thyroid, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(5) Primary cancer of the male or female breast, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(6) Primary cancer of the esophagus, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(7) Primary cancer of the stomach, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(8) Primary cancer of the pharynx, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(9) Primary cancer of the small intestine, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(10) Primary cancer of the pancreas, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(11) Primary cancer of the bile ducts, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(12) Primary cancer of the gallbladder, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(13) Primary cancer of the salivary gland, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(14) Primary cancer of the urinary bladder, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(15) Primary cancer of the brain, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(16) Primary cancer of the colon, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(17) Primary cancer of the ovary, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(18) Primary cancer of the liver, provided,

(i) Onset occurred at least five years after first exposure;

(ii) There is no indication of the presence of hepatitis B; and

(iii) There is no indication of the presence of cirrhosis; or

(19) Primary cancer of the lung, provided onset occurred at least five years after first exposure.