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Colorado Public Health Dept concerned about radiation from uranium mill

State regulators asserted that people at fences around Energy Fuels’ 880-acre site could be exposed to radiation approaching a 25-millirem limit. “A projected dose that approaches a regulatory limit cannot be considered trivial,” a CDPHE document said.

Uranium-mill plan near Naturita raises concerns about toxic waste – The Denver Post, Bruce Finley, 16 Sept 10, State regulators have raised concerns about toxic waste, radiation and water supply at what would be the nation’s first conventional uranium mill opened since the Cold War.

Heavy-metals waste from Energy Fuels Resources Corp.’s proposed uranium-processing in southwest Colorado would include arsenic, lead, molybdenum and cadmium. A failure to fully address handling of this potentially harmful material “is considered to be a major deficiency in the application,” Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment regulators said in a recent request for information.

Beaches around waste impoundment ponds would be exposed to birds. “What are the risks to wildlife from exposed tailings beaches?” the request asks.

State regulators asserted that people at fences around Energy Fuels’ 880-acre site could be exposed to radiation approaching a 25-millirem limit. “A projected dose that approaches a regulatory limit cannot be considered trivial,” a CDPHE document said.

The Colorado Water Conservation Board is opposing Energy Fuels’ filings to use water from the Dolores River. Energy Fuels has begun drilling wells to supply enough water to process 500 tons of uranium a day. But company officials say they may need additional water………

Uranium-mill plan near Naturita raises concerns about toxic waste – The Denver Post

September 17, 2010 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | environment, Uranium, USA | antinuclear, nuclear, nuclear costs, nuclear wastes, radiation, radioactive, uranium