Uranium Mining: the dirt on nuclear energy
Nuclear energy is being promoted as clean energy. While it’s true that nuclear power plants don’t emit green house gases that fuel global warming, the mining of uranium to fuel these plants is anything but clean.
Uranium mining is nasty business that can pollute aquifers and taint the drinking and irrigation water of nearby residents. People living in Goliad County, Texas know first hand the problems uranium mining can bring. They also know the lack of protection the government offers to residents when a mining company decides to mine near their homes.
Uranium in is found in the rock lining fresh water aquifers. During the mining process, metals such as arsenic and selenium are freed from the aquifer rock along with the uranium. Radium-226, a substance much more radioactive than uranium, and radon also are released. When the uranium is separated from the other materials, the contaminated water is pumped back into the aquifer.
In addition to the water contamination that is obviously inherent in this process, there have been many reported radioactive spills during mining operations in South Texas.
The radioactivity of uranium when inhaled or ingested increases the risk of lung and bone cancers, and can damage kidneys and other internal organs.
Families living near the uranium mining areas in Goliad County, Texas have been unable to get the companies to clean up mining sites. Out fear of contamination from the mining, they no longer feel it is safe to drink the water from their wells.