Health Effects of Uranium

Uranium is a metal that exists naturally in the earth. There are small amounts of uranium in almost all the soil, rock, and water in the world. It can move through the environment in rain, wind, and other natural processes. People have used uranium for building military shielding, weapons, planes and helicopters. It’s also used to fuel nuclear weapons and nuclear power plants.

People can come in contact with uranium, radiation, or both on the Navajo Nation by spending time at abandoned uranium mines, living in a home that was built with material from a mine or mill site, drinking unregulated water, or not following good water hauling practices. Everyone comes in contact with low levels of uranium because it’s in the environment. But coming in contact with higher levels of uranium can be harmful to your health.

The documents below provide information about uranium, how you can avoid contact with it and how it can affect your health.

• Uranium 101 Presentation in Navajo: Diné Bikéyahgi Łeetsoh Hólónígíí – Nát’aą́ ’Náháne’, Bée’ádááh & Ats’íís Yeiinít’įįh́́ yeiinít’įįh (pdf) (3.42 MB, May 26, 2022)
  This presentation was made by the Community Outreach Network (CON) to Navajo community members to increased awareness of uranium and associated health effects.
  Learn More: Community Outreach Network
• Learn the Basics: Uranium and Radiation on the Navajo Nation (pdf) (613.09 KB, 12/10/2014)
  Learn the basics about uranium and radiation on the Navajo Nation.
• Reduce Your Contact: Uranium and Radiation on the Navajo Nation (pdf) (1.75 MB, 12/09/2014)
  Information about reducing contact and minimizing risks from uranium and radiation on the Navajo Nation.
• Your Health: Uranium and Radiation on the Navajo Nation (pdf) (1.41 MB, 12/09/2014)
  Information about how uranium can have chemical and radiological effects on your body.