Prevention is the Only Cure: Health Effects of the Uranium Cycle on Women, Fetuses and Children Les effets sur la santé de l'exposition au cycle de l'uranium sur les femmes, les fœtus et les enfants : La prévention est le seul remède

Abstract

There are many sources of potential contamination throughout the uranium cycle, which can affect the health of families for generations to come. Children and fetuses are especially vulnerable due to rapid cell division during physical growth. This is documented internationally through outcomes such as increased incidence in spontaneousabortions,childhoodleukemiaandotherchildhoodcancers. Researchonthistopicaroseoutofa local concern in eastern Ontario due to proposed uranium mines at the watershed of major rivers, which may pose arisktomidwiferyclients wholiveneartailingponds,incommunitieswhorelyontheriversfortheirsourceof water, or who work in reprocessing and nuclear power plants. As Canada is the world's largest producer and exporter of uranium, the health impacts extend to the most recent use of depleted uranium in weapons abroad. As primary health practitioners, midwives can play a role in promoting public health through becoming better informed, and supporting local and international initiatives which address the threat posed to human and environmental health by the uranium cycle.