Monday, August 13, 2012

 

polluted air, land and water
  
First Published Aug 04 2012 01:01 am • Last Updated Aug 04 2012 01:01 am
 
In 1957, my family moved to Utah. My father worked in poorly ventilated uranium mines and died young of lung cancer, the fate of many uranium miners. Someone made money at the expense of the uranium miner, and Utah suffers the radioactive burden of the uranium boom.

Now, land is being turned over to extractive energy industries. Again, few will become rich and people who live here will suffer consequences of polluted air, water and soil.

Women exposed to poor air quality have greater risks of pre-term birth and their children have increased risks of poor school performance, asthma and developmental issues. The oil and gas industry in the Uinta Basin already has created some of the nation’s worst air quality.

Utah’s policy of expanding extractive industries is not pro-family, and it is not pro-child. My family of a widowed mother with four children serves as an example.

Pro-development policy makes the few very rich and the health of families and children poorer. In Utah, where clean air and water are in short supply, Gov. Gary Herbert’s administration pushes for using federal lands for gas and oil development. Utah will be left with the spoils.

Kirtly Jones, M.D.
Salt Lake City
Posted by DebDix