For decades, the Navajo people have endured the fallout of Cold War-era uranium mining. A recent study has confirmed what many have feared: radioactive contamination continues to harm Navajo women and their newborns, even decades after mining operations shut down.
Government Study Uncovers Disturbing Radiation Levels
A federally-funded study by the University of New Mexico has revealed alarming levels of uranium in Navajo women and infants. The findings were presented during a congressional field hearing in Albuquerque, where officials and tribal members discussed the ongoing health crisis.
- 26% of Navajo women tested had uranium levels exceeding the top 5% of the U.S. population.
- Many newborns had equally high uranium concentrations in their bodies at birth.
- Exposure persisted through the first year of life, indicating an ongoing environmental hazard.
Health officials, including Dr. Loretta Christensen of the Indian Health Service, testified about the medical challenges faced by affected families. The hearing was led by U.S. Senator Tom Udall, Rep. Deb Haaland, and Rep. Ben Ray Lujan, who acknowledged the severe consequences of uranium contamination.
Former Miners Speak Out
For Leslie Begay, a former uranium miner, the hearing was deeply personal. Now reliant on an oxygen tank, he shared his struggles with lung disease and the lasting impact of his work in the mines.
“The government is so unjust with us,” Begay said. “The government doesn’t recognize that we built their freedom.”
Haaland, who has tribal roots in the Laguna Pueblo, spoke about her own family’s history with radiation exposure at the Jackpile-Paguate mine. Once one of the world’s largest open-pit uranium mines, it left behind a legacy of health issues for the surrounding communities.
A Legacy of Suffering and Abandoned Mines
The uranium mining boom of the 1950s left more than 500 abandoned mines across Navajo lands. Spanning Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, the Navajo Nation is home to more than 250,000 people, many of whom continue to suffer from the contamination left behind.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Total uranium mined | Over 4 million tons |
| Affected area | 27,000 square miles |
| Abandoned mines | More than 500 |
| Linked health issues | Cancer, kidney failure, birth defects |
Generational Impact and Continued Research
Research from the CDC has confirmed uranium exposure in babies born long after the mines shut down. Maria Welch, a Navajo researcher, became involved in the Navajo Birth Cohort study due to her own family’s exposure.
Despite cleanup efforts, radioactive contamination remains a public health crisis. Many Navajo families continue to live near abandoned mines, unknowingly facing prolonged exposure to uranium. With mounting evidence and increased public awareness, the push for accountability and environmental justice grows stronger.
