The social costs of uranium mining in the US Colorado Plateau cohort, 1960-2005.

OBJECTIVES: Long-term social costs associated with underground uranium mining are largely unknown. This study estimated health costs of Native American and white (Hispanic and non-Hispanic origin) uranium miners in the US Public Health Service Colorado Plateau cohort study.

METHODS: Elevated uranium miner person-years of life lost (PYLL) were calculated from the most recent study of the Colorado Plateau cohort over 1960-2005. Nine causes of death categories were included. Costs to society of miner PYLL were monetized using the value of a statistical life-year approach.

RESULTS: Costs over 1960-2005 totaled $2 billion USD [95% CI: $1.8, $2.2], or $2.9 million per elevated miner death. This corresponds to $43.1 million [95%: $38.7, $48.7] in annual costs. Lung cancer was the most costly cause of death at $1.4 billion [95%: $1.3, $1.5]. Absolute health costs were largest for white miners, but Native Americans had larger costs per elevated death. Annual excess mortality over 1960-2005 averaged 366.4 per 100,000 miners; 404.6 (white) and 201.5 per 100,000 (Native American).

CONCLUSIONS: This research advances our understanding of uranium extraction legacy impacts, particularly among indigenous populations.