|  | Public Health Safety | Work Safety

Health Risks of Uranium Mining

Uranium is a metallic element that emits radioactivity; it is a key component in nuclear weapons and nuclear reactors. Uranium occurs naturally in the earth and has been causing health problems in miners since as early as the 14th century. Uranium mining remains highly hazardous, presenting the risk of increased rates of lung cancer for miners if precautions are not taken.

  1. Health Risks From Mining

    • Among the many studies of this problem, a long-term study published in a 2008 edition of "The Journal of Radiological Protection" tracked the mortality rates of miners in New Mexico from 1955 to 1990. The study found increased mortality among underground mine workers, although this did not carry forward to those who worked in uranium mills. The miners' increased mortality was primarily due to respiratory diseases and cirrhosis of the liver. According to the study, the abnormally high rates of lung cancer were attributable to high levels of radon within uranium mines.

    Environmental Hazards

    • Miners are not the only ones endangered by uranium mining. The Panos Institute West Africa (IPAO) is a network of nongovernmental organizations working in the region. According to IPAO, there is ample evidence that uranium mining can result in poor health for people living in the vicinity of the mine due to the resultant contamination of water and other forms of pollution. In order to produce 25 tons of uranium (which is typically what is needed to fuel a nuclear reactor for one year), 500,000 tons of waste rock and 100,000 tons of mill tailings are produced. This material will remain dangerously toxic for hundreds of thousands of years.

    Mitigating Dangers

    • According to a 2008 story in the U.K. newspaper "The Guardian," the worldwide effects of uranium mining are "disastrous," described as an "ethical and environmental nightmare" in some countries that have recently undertaken the mining of uranium. The World Nuclear Association, a trade organization for nuclear energy companies that utilize mined uranium, notes that the real problem lies with the fact that many of these Third World countries have no legislation governing health and safety with respect to uranium mining. To address this, the group proposed an international Charter of Ethics that countries could adopt, although it would not be legally binding.

    An Opposing View

    • Despite the results of numerous studies and the obvious hazards inherent in mining a radioactive material, the World Nuclear Association insists the uranium-mining industry has a "good" safety record. According to the organization's website, "radiation dose records compiled by mining companies under the scrutiny of regulatory authorities have shown consistently that mining company employees are not exposed to radiation doses in excess of the limits." The maximum dose of radiation received by a miner, states the site, is about half of the acceptable limit.

Work Safety - Related Articles