Draft Environmental Impact Statement for Roca Honda Mine

Chapter 3. Affected Environment and Environmental Consequences
humans; the health effects seen in children from exposure to toxic levels of uranium are expected
to be similar to the effects seen in adults; and whether uranium can cause birth defects in humans
is unknown (ATSDR, 2011). Furthermore, the Federal government has recognized 27 uraniumassociated
illnesses (USDOJ, 2011) and continues to investigate the health and environmental
impacts of uranium contamination in the Grants Mining District and Navajo Nation (USEPA,
2011f; USEPA, 2008). A number of scientific studies within the occupational and
nonoccupational (offsite) context are explored below.
Studies report that in the early days of uranium mining, working conditions and ventilation within
these mines were exceedingly poor (Mapel et al., 1997). The primary impact of early uranium
mining on worker health involved the inhalation of silica dust, radon decay products, and diesel
fumes (Brugge et al., 2007; Mapel et al., 1997). Many workers, including a significant number of
Navajo workers, reported that they were not sufficiently informed about the health hazards
associated with this type of mining, nor were they adequately provided with protective equipment
or ventilated workplaces (Brugge et al., 2006). Despite evidence based on the earlier European
mining experience and initial findings in the U.S. (Holaday et al., 1952; Wagoner et al., 1964),
U.S. government regulations to protect worker health within uranium mines were slow to come
on the scene (Brugge and Goble, 2002). The U.S. government adopted the first in-mine radon
exposure standard in 1968. This standard was poorly enforced and, in 1980, declared inadequate
for the protection of underground miners (Shuey, 2007). As a result, generations of uranium
miners experienced negative health outcomes, most notably, the risk of lung cancer due to the
inhalation of radon decay products (USEPA, 2011f; ATSDR, 2011; Boice et al., 2008; Ross and
Murray, 2004; Gilliland et al., 2000; Roscoe, 1995; Archer et al., 1990; Samet et al., 1984;
Wagoner et al., 1964); respiratory diseases (pneumoconiosis, tuberculosis, silicosis and
emphysema) (Roscoe, 1995); and adverse changes in kidney function (NMDH, 2005). Higher
mortality rates were also documented from interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, multiple myeloma, and
non-Hodgkin lymphoma (Schubauer-Berigan et al., 2009). Negative health outcomes were
particularly high among Navajo miners (Samet et al., 1984; Mapel et al., 1997; Gilliland et al.,
2000). Not only did Navajo miners experience physical health impacts, they also experienced
negative psychosocial impacts from their experience in the mining industry (Dawson, 1992).
Because workers were not informed of the human and environmental dangers of uranium mining
they were not able to properly make decisions regarding their health. This has left many feeling
betrayed by mining companies and the government. Dawson (1992) illustrates in a case study
how this has resulted in psychological trauma for the miners.
There is no conclusive evidence that residents living near uranium mines experience negative
health impacts. In fact, very little research to date has been concluded on the risks for residents
living within close proximity to mines (Shuey, 2007; Boulanger and Gorman, 2004). A number of
peer-reviewed studies that have been conducted within these contexts conclude that there are no
health impacts to nearby populations (Boice et al., 2003, 2007a, 2007b, 2008). For example,
Boice et al. (2003) examined rates of cancer based on death certificates in the uranium mining
area of Karnes, Texas, and found no significant patterns of cancer mortality when compared with
other “control counties” in the U.S. Boice and colleagues also conducted similar studies in
Montrose County, Colorado (Boice et al., 2007a), Uravan, Colorado (Boice et al., 2007b), and
Cibola County, New Mexico (Boice et al., 2010); these studies yield no conclusive evidence that
the operation of uranium mines and processing facilities increased cancer or mortality rates for
the nearby populations. Preliminary findings from a few peer-reviewed studies, however, suggest
that uranium mines may have posed a risk for miscarriages (Shields et al., 1992), as well as for
428 DEIS for Roca Honda Mine, Cibola National Forest