How many uranium mines are on the Navajo Nation?

There are over 500 abandoned uranium mines on Navajo Nation. This page provides information about contamination from the mines and how it is being addressed.

When did uranium mining end in the Navajo Nation?

1986
For The Navajo Nation, Uranium Mining’s Deadly Legacy Lingers : Shots – Health News Uranium mining on Navajo lands ended in 1986, but the tribe is still suffering profound health effects. The government started cleanup only recently; many of the polluters have gone out of business.

How many Navajos died from uranium mining?

Of the 150 Navajo uranium miners who worked at the uranium mine in Shiprock, New Mexico until 1970, 133 died of lung cancer or various forms of fibrosis by 1980 ([Ali, 2003] ). Because times were hard for the Navajo, most families were thankful when mining started on the reservation because they were given employment.

What is the estimated percentage of Navajo homes affected by uranium exposure?

85 percent
Nearly all are located within a mile of a natural water source. And 17 are just 200 feet away — or less — from an occupied residence. Experts estimate that as a result, 85 percent of all Navajo homes are currently contaminated with uranium.

What happens if you drink water with uranium?

Most uranium in drinking water is quickly eliminated from the body, but a small amount is absorbed from the digestive tract. Exposure to elevated levels of uranium over a long period of time can damage your kidneys. However, the kidney can recover from this damage after exposure is reduced or eliminated.

When was uranium first mined?

1789
Uranium was discovered in 1789 by German scientist Martin Heinrich Klaproth in the mineral pitchblende. It was isolated shortly after, but its radioactive properties were not discovered until 1896 by Henri Becquerel.

Is it safe to live near a uranium mine?

Generally, the highest potential radiation-related health risk for uranium mining or processing facility workers is lung cancer associated with inhaling uranium decay products (more specifically, radon decay products), as well as other non-lung-cancer risks associated with gamma radiation exposure on-site.

Can uranium be removed from drinking water?

What treatment systems will remove uranium from drinking water? Uranium can be removed from drinking water by: reverse osmosis: forces water through a membrane that filters out minerals including uranium. distillation: boils water, catches the steam, and condenses it to liquid while leaving the uranium out.

What illnesses can uranium cause?

Ingestion of high concentrations of uranium, however, can cause severe health effects, such as cancer of the bone or liver. Inhaling large concentrations of uranium can cause lung cancer from the exposure to alpha particles.

When was uranium extracted from the Navajo Nation?

From 1944 to 1986, nearly 30 million tons of uranium ore were extracted from Navajo lands under leases with the Navajo Nation. This website describes how five federal agencies are working together to reduce the highest risks to Navajo people from uranium contamination resulting from the abandoned mines.

Are there any environmental problems on the Navajo Nation?

Details Despite efforts made in cleaning up uranium sites, significant problems stemming from the legacy of uranium development still exist today on the Navajo Nation. Hundreds of abandoned mines have not been cleaned up and present environmental and health risks in many Navajo communities.

Where are the mines on the Navajo Nation?

A modern strip mine: Dragline in pit at Peabody-Western’s Black Mesa mine located in the Navajo-Hopi joint-use area in Arizona. Details To further investigate environmental impacts from uranium mining on the Navajo Nation, follow the links below.

Where does the Navajo tribe get their water?

In addition to this, Navajo communities now have to face proposed new uranium solution mining that threatens the only source of drinking water for 10,000 to 15,000 people living in the Eastern Navajo Agency in northwestern New Mexico.

How many uranium mines are on the Navajo Nation? There are over 500 abandoned uranium mines on Navajo Nation. This page provides information about contamination from the mines and how it is being addressed. When did uranium mining end in the Navajo Nation? 1986 For The Navajo Nation, Uranium Mining’s Deadly Legacy Lingers : Shots…