Navajo Nation is worried about health threats from trucks carrying uranium ore For the very first time in years, the U.S. will resume processing uranium ore. The Navajo Nation and others along uranium ore transportation paths stress over the health threats.
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Navajo Nation is worried about health threats from trucks carrying uranium ore
For the very first time in years, the U.S. will resume processing uranium ore. The Navajo Nation and others along uranium ore transportation paths fret about the health threats.
A MARTÍNEZ, HOST:
America’s only uranium processing plant is preparing to get uranium ore from U.S. mines for the very first time in 25 years. The Navajo Nation stresses over the health threats. From member station KJZZ, here’s Michel Marizco.
MICHEL MARIZCO, BYLINE: Energy Fuels states about a half-dozen trucks a day will quickly begin carrying uranium ore from the Pinyon Plain Mine, near the Grand Canyon, to its mill about 300 miles away in Utah. The Navajo federal government opposes the mine and mill. President Buu Nygren is asking the Navajo Council to control uranium ore deliveries.
(SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED RECORDING)
BUU NYGREN: I asked the respectable Resource & & Development Committee to pass uranium transportation policies that Navajo EPA and DOJ will have all set for approval within the next month.
MARIZCO: But the people does not have jurisdiction over federal highways crossing its appointment. Energy Fuels prepares to utilize a minimum of 2. The business’s Curtis Moore states it’s dealing with city governments.
CURTIS MOORE: We have actually consented to willingly offer some federal government stakeholders with notification, consisting of the Forest Service, the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality, the Navajo Nation and Coconino County and others.
MARIZCO: Moore stated trucks will be marked with radioactive cautions and covered with tarpaulins.
MOORE = SVP OF MARKETING AND CORPORATE DEVELOPMENT, ENERGY FUELS: Uranium ore is simply rock, so it’s not explosive. It’s not combustible. It does not present risks like transporting fuel, transporting fuel. That’s really a fair bit more hazardous than uranium ore, so truly, individuals have absolutely nothing to be worried about even in case of a mishap.
MARIZCO: The Sierra Club is worried ore deliveries might develop harmful dust and concern whether public security companies are prepared to handle a mishap. Dr. Frank LoVecchio, the medical director of scientific research study at Arizona State University, states it’s possible for trucks to transfer uranium ore securely.
FRANK LOVECCHIO: Let’s state that there’s a great seal on the tarpaulin and no dust is coming out. I believe that would be safe.
MARIZCO: But, he states …
LOVECCHIO: Let’s state that there wasn’t a great seal. I imply, I believe there’s capacity you can get ill, and what I imply by that is, I think, if you’re close to it and after that you begin inhaling it.
MARIZCO: LoVecchio states persistent direct exposure, such as to individuals mining the ore,