Uranium in the Tuba City Area

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URANIUM in the Tuba City Area
Uranium is part of the earth. It is close to the surface throughout the southwest U.S. Uranium is part of the
environment and is naturally occurring in soil and water. Uranium is also present in waste piles from uranium
mines and mills. Exposure to uranium has health concerns for humans—some known, many unknown.
KNOW about mine and mill sites
and contaminated water sources
There are abandoned uranium mines and mills on the Navajo Nation.
There are contaminated water sources on the Navajo Nation.
¦ We cannot un-do past contact with uranium.
¦ We can lessen contact with uranium now and in the future.
LEARN how to recognize
mines and contaminated water
sources
IF YOU SEE SIGNS
LIKE THIS:
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KEEP OUT

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CAUTION
A.*
RADIOACTIVE
MATERIALS
STAY AWAY from the area.
Learn where uranium mines were located and stay away even if there are no signs.
DO NOT build, play on, ride ATVs, or make corrals at mine sites.
DO NOT gather plants, or take gravel, dirt, sand or water from mine sites.
IF YOU SEE SIGNS;
LIKE THIS:
WATER FROM
THIS WELL
IS NOT SAFE
TO DRINK
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6 ¦ - -
DO NOT use water from that source for human drinking,
cooking or bathing. It is contaminated with uranium or
other contaminants.
¦ DO NOT use contaminated water sources for human use, even if the water looks,
smells and tastes good. Don't use water from contaminated sources for drinking,
cooking, bathing or washing clothes or fruits and vegetables.
¦ ONLY use regulated water sources for human drinking, cooking or bathing. Regulated
water sources are piped water in your home or regulated watering points (usually near
Chapter Houses).
TEACH
location of mines
and contaminated
water sources
The map shows locations of
abandoned uranium mines and
contaminated water sources in
this area.
Stay away from mines. Mines
can be dangerous to human
health and safety.
Only use regulated water
sources for human drinking,
cooking, and bathing.
Livestock-use-only wells
should not be used for human
drinking, cooking, or bathing.
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CARE
for your family and yourself
Community-level exposure to uranium is not like the exposure of miners and
millers, but it is still concerning for health. Exposure can occur by contact with
contaminated soil, water, or radon gas. Here are suggestions to help decrease
exposure and to promote good health:
SOIL
¦ Work and play away from mine sites.
¦ Do not gather gravel, sand or dirt near mine sites.
¦ Grow and gather plants away from mine sites.
¦ Graze livestock away from mine sites; if this is not possible, do not
use parts where uranium concentrates—liver, kidneys and bones.
WATER
¦ If you have running water, use it. If you don't like the taste or color,
try a filter.
¦ If you haul water for human use, use only regulated watering points
and use containers and hoses approved for human drinking water.
¦ Clean hoses and containers before each use.
¦ Separate hoses used for human water and livestock water.
RADON
¦ Radon is a radioactive gas that comes from uranium.
¦ Radon is dangerous in enclosed spaces and is the second leading
cause of lung cancer.
¦ You cannot see, taste or smell radon. But you can test for it.
¦ Get your home tested for radon and keep it well ventilated until you
get the results.
CARING FOR YOUR HEALTH
There is not a lot of research to tell us exactly what community-level
exposure does to the human body. But there is some information from
research on people and animals.
Uranium exposure:
¦ Can cause kidney damage.
¦ Is linked to increased risk of high blood pressure and
autoimmune diseases.
¦ May increase risks of cancers.
¦ May increase reproductive problems.
So, it is very important for anyone exposed to uranium to do
the following:
¦ Prevent or manage diabetes and high blood pressure with healthy
weight, healthy diet, daily exercise, and taking any prescribed
medications correctly every day.
¦ Prevent cancer by no tobacco, healthy weight, eating well,
and keeping up to date on cancer screening tests— Pap tests,
mammograms, colonoscopy.
¦ Get regular health care and ask your provider to check on kidney,
thyroid, liver, and heart health and check for auto-immune diseases.
To get help with questions about...
Please call...
... Abandoned mines
Navajo Abandoned Mine Lands
Window Rock at (928) 871-6982 Shiprockat (505) 368-1220 Tuba City at (928) 871-6982
... Radon in your home, radon test kits
Navajo Nation EPA Radon Program at (928) 871-7703/7863 or (888) 643-7692
... Water from an unregulated water source;
locations of unregulated water sources
Navajo Department of Water Resources at (928) 729-4003 or
Navajo Public Water Systems at (928) 871-7755
... Water from a regulated watering point or
piped water in your home
Navajo Tribal Utility Authority at (800) 528-5011
... Safe water hauling practices
Navajo Public Water Systems at (928) 871-7755
.... Contaminated structures
Navajo Nation EPA Superfund Contaminated Structures Program at (800) 314-1846
... Uranium medical screening and
monitoring program
Community Uranium Exposure - Journey to Healing, Navajo Area IHS at (505) 368-6311
... 5 Year Plan, U.S. EPA cleanup activities
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency at (800) 231-3075
epa.gov/region9/superfund/navajo-nation

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