| Syd Brownstein Statement September 18, 2007 |
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Uranium is not very soluble in neutral water but its solubility increases rapidly in acidic or alkaline water. Uranium is only mildly radioactive and its toxicity to humans is primarily as a heavy metal, like arsenic and cadmium. The big danger is that when uranium undergoes radioactive decay, highly radioactive elements such as radium and polonium are produced. These elements, which are always associated with naturally occurring uranium, are held within the ore body as long as it is undisturbed. These elements are released to the environment when the ore body is entered by mining or exploratory drilling. Radium is a dangerously radioactive element that is in the same chemical family as calcium and magnesium. Radium has similar chemical properties to calcium and magnesium, and if introduced into groundwater, cannot be removed by normal water treatment facilities. It can also concentrate in the human body by preferentially replacing the calcium in our bones. Polonium, recently in the news as a terrible KGB poison, is also a very dangerous radioactive element. It is in the same chemical family as sulfur and would be carried in our water in the same manner as naturally occurring sulfates are at present. Polonium also cannot be removed by conventional water treatment facilities. It concentrates in the internal organs of our body and can result in a most unpleasant death. If a uranium ore body is disturbed in its natural geological setting, radium and polonium will inevitably be released into our environment. The consequences of such a release in an inhabited area would be very serious. In my
opinion, exploratory drilling, with its associated risk of exposing
uranium and its radioactive products, is irresponsible except for instances
of great national importance. It is not justified for mere short-term
financial gain. The long-term consequences are far too serious. |