Toxic plume spurs study of public health
Uranium mill
The federal government has begun a required but long-delayed comprehensive review of public health in Cañon City as newly found toxic pollution spreads from a shuttered uranium mill. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry launched the review in response to new data and community concerns that pollution may contribute to unexplained ailments including cancer, miscarriages and neurological problems. Cotter Corp. officials have been contemplating a reopening of their plant to provide yellowcake uranium for an expected national expansion of nuclear power plants. Since 1986, federal authorities have been required to conduct public-health assessments at every “Superfund” cleanup site.
A journalist and lawyer, Bruce Finley has investigated local, national and international issues with on-site reporting in more than 40 countries. In his position as a staff writer for the Denver Post, he is focusing on environment-related news including water challenges, the oil and gas boom and wildfire.
