Abstract
This review explores the complex environmental and human health issues facing the Navajo Nation, USA and focuses on arsenic and uranium pollution in vital drinking water sources. Located in the Southwestern United States, with territory comparable to the size of Ireland, these are the homelands of the indigenous Navajo people. Rich in coal, natural gas, and oil, Navajo lands have been a critical target for resource exploitation over the past century. Uranium and arsenic are the two most widespread geogenic contaminants and are also common contaminants associated with mining and other anthropogenic sources in this region. The legacy of uranium mining during the Cold War era on the Navajo Nation has left significant environmental damage to the land and vital drinking water sources in these arid lands. There is an estimated 20 to 30% lack of public water systems in the Navajo Nation, creating a reliance on water hauling for many Navajo families. This reliance often results in the use of potentially harmful contaminated domestic water sources for Navajo families who must gather water from unregulated but available resources. The contamination of drinking water sources poses significant health risks to the Navajo people, who already endure the combined effects of inadequate public infrastructure, a struggling economy, and persistent poverty. There are present and on-going efforts from several key groups and organizations working to address these challenges. However, there is continued need for remediation and mitigation efforts, research, and community involvement to address this critical environmental justice issue and ensure equal access to safe drinking water for the Navajo people.