© 2021 KSJD

Ideas. Stories. Community.

Donate

Play Live Radio

Next Up:

0:00

0:00

0:00 0:00

Available On Air Stations

KSJD Local News

Health & Prevention Report: The science behind uranium mining's effects on the human body

By Lucas Brady Woods

Published October 28, 2021 at 10:38 AM MDT

The entrance to the last remaining uranium mill in the US, which sits about five miles from the community of White Mesa, UT.

From the 1940s to the 1980s, hundreds of uranium mills opened across the Southwestern US. Historically, the mills provided working-class jobs for the region, especially for tribal communities. But uranium and other heavy metals can be toxic, and many mill workers suffered as a result. Now, the only operating uranium mill left in the US sits just a few dozen miles from Montezuma County, in Southeast Utah. On this week's Health & Prevention Report, KSJD's Lucas Brady Woods talks to Dr. Ed Razma, pulmonologist at Southwest Health System, to get a better idea of what uranium contamination can actually do to a person's health.

Health and prevention reporting on KSJD is made possible with the support of Celebrating Healthy Communities, the Montezuma County Health Department, and Southwest Health System.

Tags

KSJD Local News White Mesa Uranium Mill uranium KSJD Health and Prevention Report

Lucas Brady Woods

Lucas is the News Director for KSJD Community Radio. His work focuses on serving the public of the Four Corners with responsible, factual reporting.

See stories by Lucas Brady Woods

Related Content

Native-led march protests possible contamination from White Mesa uranium mill

Sofia Stuart-Rasi

Members of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and the Navajo Nation led a march on Saturday in protest against the operation of the only running uranium mill in the United States.
Health & Prevention Report: Local Pulmonologist Discusses Respiratory Issues In The Four Corners That Go Beyond Wildfire Smoke And COVID-19

Lucas Brady Woods

In the Four Corners region, there are a bunch of environmental and medical factors that can affect respiratory health. Whether that’s wildfire smoke, viruses, or simply allergies, almost no one is completely safe from some sort of respiratory issue around here. But there are also some industrial effects that are specific to the Four Corners - with roots decades old - that leave some of the region’s elderly population particularly vulnerable. For this week’s Health and Prevention Report, KSJD’s Lucas Brady Woods spoke to Dr. Ed Razma, a lung specialist at Southwest Health System in Cortez.
Health & Prevention Report: New Superintendent For Montezuma-Cortez School District On The Upcoming School Year

Tay Glass

Students in Montezuma County are heading back to in-person classes on August 16th. This marks the second year schools have had to contend with the pandemic and ever-evolving public health guidelines. On this week’s health and prevention report, KSJD’s Tay Glass talks to the new Superintendent of Montezuma-Cortez School District, Risha Vanderwey, about what parents and students should do to stay healthy and support their mental health.
Health & Prevention Report: New organization in Mancos aims to help locals navigate mental health resources

Tay Glass

Colorado has the sixth highest suicide death rate in the nation, according to the most recent data from the CDC. But the process of finding resources to improve your mental wellness is complicated and often stigmatized. In this week’s health and prevention report, KSJD’s Tay Glass looks at Mancos United, an up-and-coming nonprofit that wants to make the process of finding help a bit more streamlined.
Health & Prevention Report: Southwest Health System's Marc Meyer Discusses What The Nationwide Surge In COVID Cases Means For Montezuma County.

Lucas Brady Woods

On this week's Health and Prevention Report, we're replaying an important interview about the status of the Covid-19 pandemic in Montezuma County. The Delta Variant is now making up the vast majority of the COVID-19 cases both locally and nationally, and we may be seeing the beginning of a surge in the virus. KSJD News spoke with Marc Meyer, head of infection control and vaccinations at Southwest Health System, about the situation.
Health & Prevention Report: Gleaning Is One Way To Address Food Insecurity With Leftover Produce That Usually Goes To Waste

Tay Glass

In a survey from 2019, one in ten Coloradans reported they felt like they weren't getting enough food. This problem - food insecurity - stems from individuals not having enough money to feed themselves or their families. In this week's Health & Prevention Report, KSJD's Tay Glass looks at food insecurity in the Four Corners and one potential solution that may be in your back yard.

Load More