On July 16, 1976, the worst nuclear accident in American history- the second worst in the world- took place at a uranium mill in Navajo Nation. 94,000,000 gallons of nuclear sludge, and over 1000 tons of uranium tailings rushed into the Puerco River when an dam failed at the United Nuclear Corporation’s Church Rock Mine. Though the disaster poisoned thousands of Navajo people in the surrounding areas, contaminating hundreds of square miles with cancer causing radioactive waste, the victims were given $2000 each and left to die. UNC would go on to clean up just 1% of the spill, and to this day 85% of the radiation remains. What was the Church Rock Mill disaster, and why have you probably never heard of it?
Twitter: Link
Patreon: Link
Shirts and more: Link
Sources and Further Reading
Navajos Battle for Environmental Justice, Church Rock Spill: Link
Forgotten nuclear accident in Church Rock: Link
Remembering the largest radioactive spill in U.S. history: Link
Church Rock, America’s Forgotten Nuclear Disaster, Is Still Poisoning Navajo Lands 40 Years Later: Link
On Poisoned Ground: Link
Navajo Nation: Cleaning Up Abandoned Uranium Mines: Link
Uranium Processing: Link
A Brief History of: The Church Rock Uranium Mill Disaster (Short Documentary): Link
How the US poisoned Navajo Nation: Link
UNC Resources At Odds With New Mexico Over Uranium: Link
Northeast Church Rock Mine: Link
Popular Podcasts
Law & Order: Criminal Justice System - Season 1 & Season 2
Season Two Out Now! Law & Order: Criminal Justice System tells the real stories behind the landmark cases that have shaped how the most dangerous and influential criminals in America are prosecuted. In its second season, the series tackles the threat of terrorism in the United States. From the rise of extremist political groups in the 60s to domestic lone wolves in the modern day, we explore how organizations like the FBI and Joint Terrorism Take Force have evolved to fight back against a multitude of terrorist threats.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
NFL Daily with Gregg Rosenthal
Gregg Rosenthal and a rotating crew of elite NFL Media co-hosts, including Patrick Claybon, Colleen Wolfe, Steve Wyche, Nick Shook and Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic get you caught up daily on all the NFL news and analysis you need to be smarter and funnier than your friends.