A National Institutes of Health study released in 1997 showed much of the United States was exposed to radioactive iodine from fallout.

"There's no question that fallout fell in different areas in greater concentration than in some others," Matheson said.

The report says, "Utah counties with higher rates of radiation-associated cancer experienced greater exposure to radioactive fallout."

According to a press release Matheson's office issued, the congressman suspects there are "more victims out there than we have already acknowledged under the current law."

Six Utah counties have cancer rates above the state average, five of them outside the RECA borders, it added.

"This has implications for thousands of cancer victims in 19 Utah counties who, by law, cannot file a claim."

The study was carried out at Matheson's request by the Special Investigations Division of the House Committee on Government Reform.

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