Metropolitan State University of Denver’s Integrative Health Care Program wants to gather names and contact information of people who lived near the former Rocky Flats nuclear weapons plant during its operational years from 1952-1992.
The program wants to conduct a health and illness survey on residents who lived within 10 miles of the plant to determine if there are disease and/or cancer clusters associated with possible exposure to plutonium.
Julie Reyes, a spokeswoman with Metropolitan State University, emphasized that the research project has not yet been formally approved and cannot begin until “a federally mandated review has been conducted and approval by the Human Subjects Protection Program Institutional Review Board has been secured.”
The plant, which was located on rolling prairie between Arvada and Superior in Jefferson County, made nuclear triggers during the Cold War. The site has been converted to a wildlife refuge.
Those who lived in the area at that time or know someone who did can visit for more information.
John Aguilar: 303-954-1695, jaguilar@denverpost.com or @abuvthefold
