S^D S7^( I ^ ^ J ,38, 5 ZJ O \ ^ PRO^ ro •Z LU e> Abandoned Uranium Mines Project U.S. EPA/Navajo Nation EPA Water Sampling/Home Construction Survey PRCf^ United States Environmental Protection Agency • Region 9 • San Francisco, California • September 1998 U.S. EPA to Test Water and Home Construction Materials in Monument Valley Area The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) will continue its investigation of the abandoned uranium mines by taking water samples and checking home construction materials in the Monument Valley area of the Navajo Nation. The water and home construction surveys follow the helicopter survey which took place last fall to determine where radiation is located in this region. Information from that helicopter survey is being provided to the Chapters. This investigation is the result of a request by the Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency (NNEPA) that USEPA assist in determining if the old, abandoned uranium mines currently pose a health risk to people in the area. If any health risks are found, that information will be presented to the affected Chapters with recommenda- tions as to what measures should be taken to minimize such risk. Water Sampling Water that people use for drinking or cooking will be tested to deter- mine if it contains uranium or other metals that are found in the earth around the old uranium mines. If these metals get into the water, they can cause health problems. USEPA will test water from wells, springs or any other sources in the communities surrounding the old mines. The water samples will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results from the laboratory tests will be available in about three months, and this information will be provided to the affected Chapters. Home Construction It is possible that rock from an old uranium mine was used in home construction. If a rock contains uranium, the radiation that comes out of it could cause health prob- lems. USEPA will measure rocks used in home construction to see if there is any radiation. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO HAVE YOUR WATER OR HOME CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS SAMPLED BY USEPA, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CHAPTER COMMU- NITY SERVICES COORDI- NATOR. Who to Contact With Questions or Concerns USEPA and NNEPA will provide information on the results of our investigations to the Chapters as it becomes available. Please feel free to contact us or your Chapter officials if y ou have questions or concerns about the abandoned uranium mines. USEPA has a toll-free number which is listed below. US EPA Affected Navajo Nation EPA Vicki Rosen Navajo Nation Chapters Stanley Edison/Eugene Esplain Community Involvement Oljato Chapter NNEPA, Superfund Program Coordinator (801) 727-3259 43 Crest Rd. US EPA Region 9 Kayenta Chapter St. Michaels, AZ 86511 75 Hawthorne St. (SFD-3) (520) 679-5520 (520) 871-6859 San Francisco, CA 94105 Shonto Chapter (415) 744-2187 or (520) 672-2460 toll-free (800) 231-3075 Dennehotso Chapter (520) 658-3300 ------- |