Public Health Issues Concerning American Indian and Non-Indian Uranium Millworkers

An exploratory study of 170 former American Indian (83) and non-Indian (87) uranium millworkers who worked in six mills was conducted in the southwestern United States. It was found that over 80 percent of the former millworkers felt they were not informed about the hazards of radiation during their employment and a majority reported respiratory diseases or symptoms. Study findings include a comparison of Indian and non-Indian perceptions of mill working conditions and self-reported health histories. The Indians have not been studied previously as a distinct group and, given their low smoking incidence, an epidemiologic study is warranted. Issues related to adequate diagnoses of workers' health problems are presented.