NEW YORK — Kevin Patterson, a 29-year-old Navajo shepherd turned public health researcher, is on a mission to uncover the health impacts of uranium contamination in his community. Growing up in the Lukachukai-Ch’ooshgai Mountains, Patterson fondly remembers hiking to the local spring, a refuge from the summer heat, where reeds grew abundantly. Little did he know, this picturesque landscape was tainted by the remnants of uranium and vanadium mining that plagued the Navajo Nation from the 1940s to the 1980s.
Now, seated in a cubicle at Columbia University, Patterson delves into data to understand the consequences of this toxic legacy. The Lukachukai Mountains Mining District, where his family hails from, was recently designated a Superfund site by the U.S. EPA, marking it for priority clean up. Despite the end of mining operations, there are over 500 abandoned uranium mines across the Navajo Nation, exposing residents to the dangers of radioactive materials.
Patterson’s research sheds light on the high levels of heavy metal exposure in Indigenous communities, impacting their health and well-being. His efforts aim to raise awareness, protect future generations, and advocate for clean-up initiatives in contaminated areas like his own.
As a Superfund research trainee, Patterson collaborates with environmental health experts to address the health disparities caused by metal exposures. His work highlights the need for public health interventions and policy changes to safeguard communities from the long-term effects of uranium mining.
Driven by a deep sense of responsibility to his roots, Patterson’s journey as a scholar and advocate embodies the resilience and determination of Indigenous communities fighting for environmental justice. His commitment to making a difference reflects the spirit of those impacted by uranium contamination, calling for a future free from the shadows of the past.
Through his research, Patterson hopes to empower his community and pave the way for a safer, healthier tomorrow, where the springs of Lukachukai-Ch’ooshgai Mountains flow untainted by the legacy of uranium mining.
