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The social costs of uranium mining in the US Colorado Plateau cohort, 1960–2005

  • Original Article
  • Published:
International Journal of Public Health

Abstract

Objectives

Long-term social costs associated with underground uranium mining are largely unknown. This study estimated health costs of Native American and white (Hispanic and non-Hispanic origin) uranium miners in the US Public Health Service Colorado Plateau cohort study.

Methods

Elevated uranium miner person-years of life lost (PYLL) were calculated from the most recent study of the Colorado Plateau cohort over 1960–2005. Nine causes of death categories were included. Costs to society of miner PYLL were monetized using the value of a statistical life-year approach.

Results

Costs over 1960–2005 totaled $2 billion USD [95% CI: $1.8, $2.2], or $2.9 million per elevated miner death. This corresponds to $43.1 million [95%: $38.7, $48.7] in annual costs. Lung cancer was the most costly cause of death at $1.4 billion [95%: $1.3, $1.5]. Absolute health costs were largest for white miners, but Native Americans had larger costs per elevated death. Annual excess mortality over 1960–2005 averaged 366.4 per 100,000 miners; 404.6 (white) and 201.5 per 100,000 (Native American).

Conclusions

This research advances our understanding of uranium extraction legacy impacts, particularly among indigenous populations.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of New Mexico, 1 UNM Drive, MSC 05 3060, Albuquerque, NM, 87131, USA

    Benjamin A. Jones

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  1. Benjamin A. Jones
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Correspondence to Benjamin A. Jones.

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This work was not supported by external or internal funding.

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The authors have had no competing interests, financial interests, or benefits arising from this research.

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Jones, B.A. The social costs of uranium mining in the US Colorado Plateau cohort, 1960–2005. Int J Public Health 62, 471–478 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00038-017-0943-z

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