Summer 2008 Key Findings
Halley Brunsteter and Post ’71 member Ashley Stauffer enter data, with Post ‘71’s newest member, Destiny.
Photo: Maria Varela
Members of Post /71 sat together in early 2007 to create a survey for fellow ex-uranium workers. Workers before 1971 receive compensation for uranium-related health conditions. Those who worked after 1971 do not. Post ’71 wanted to know about the general health of these former workers, as well as their recollections of working conditions in mines and mills.
The organization’s leaders were overwhelmed when over 1300 people completed the survey. (It is estimated that nearly 8000 people worked in uranium jobs in New Mexico after 1971.) Hearing this story on a class field trip, Maria Varela, visiting faculty and coordinator of Southwest Studies summer fellowships, began discussions with Post ’71 leaders about how Colorado College could help.
By the end of the summer SWS Research Fellows had entered all eligible surveys (1203). Preliminary findings include:
- Over half of respondents reported adverse health conditions they felt were related to working with uranium
- Less than 2% of respondents said they were advised about the dangers of working with uranium.
- 92% of respondents said they were not warned about washing contaminated clothing at home.
- 31% of female workers, 11% of spouses and 11% of daughters reported reproductive issues.
These numbers will most likely change as Post’71 Committee and SWS Summer Fellows will complete work on the survey in the summer of 2009.
Post ’71 leaders plan to use this information to educate lawmakers about the need for compensation for Post ’71 workers uranium-related medical conditions. They also seek increased funding for further research on uranium related diseases. The findings will also be used to develop a community education program in those areas impacted by mining and milling.