Uranium mine cleanup "an overwhelming problem"

The contamination left behind by irresponsible uranium mining companies never obliged to clean up their mess is considered an "overwhelming problem" according to an article in the December 30 issue of Scientific American. An assessment by the Environmental Protection Agency found "radiation levels at the mine that were higher than the EPA's Geiger counters could measure." The article looked at contamination on the Navajo Indian reservation where residents are exposed to uranium through airborne dust and contaminated drinking water. However, the story repeats itself at similar abanoned uranium mine sites around the world. (Photop of an abandoned uranium mine near Cameron, Ariz. by Jarrett Wheeler, courtesy of Forgotten People.)