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November 10, 2009

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UNR involved in midcentury nuclear weapons testing

Monday, Oct. 9, 2000 | 9:34 a.m.

The federal government tested atomic bombs at the Nevada Test Site north of Las Vegas and even had a test blast near Fallon in the 1960s.

Documents show UNR scientists researched the effects of the blasts on plants and animals, conducted studies of geology at testing sites and even had a nuclear reactor on campus.

University officials said it's possible there are more nuclear links to UNR but records aren't readily available.

"With the test site in Nevada, it's not surprising UNR had some hand in related research," said Amy Shannon, librarian for the School of Agriculture.

The Reno Gazette-Journal began looking for UNR documents related to atomic research after the Department of Energy released a list of more than 550 companies and research sites that took part in it.

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