Navajo and mining colors

[NiagaraNet@aol.com]

I believe that the writer in mentioning the "yellow dust" was referring to 

the uranium dust in general that would have been spread around during 

previous mining operations. I too have traveled the SW and have seen the 

color of the setting sun. Regardless of the actual color of the dirt and 

sunsets, it should be noted and respected that many Navajo miners made the 

ultimate sacrifice in mining these materials. Just because uranium ore was/is 

there, and we like to make use of this ore in many forms, does it make it OK 

to defile another's environment? Should we be minimizing the exposures and 

health consequence to these workers? This message is being written to the 

list from Niagara Falls, New York--where one knows from environmental 

degradation. Niagara Falls, New York, was the largest uranium metal 

production center from 1942 through 1953 (and beyond). Over one million 

pounds of "waste" U metal has been buried in the vicinity of the Falls and is 

still not fully accounted for.



Oh well, I should save a line or two for the next commentator.



These comments do not reflect those of my employer.

Sincerely,

Louis Ricciuti, researcher